Friday, July 24, 2009

Party at the Whites

Dear Dan,

Tomorrow is the second anniversary and I still can't believe you are gone. But as long as there are people who love and remember you I guess you aren't really gone. Also I believe your soul remains with us every single day.

One of the memories that remains is the party at the Whites. You were in grade school -- I think it was 3rd or 4th grade -- and the class was invited to the Whites for an afternoon party.

You were, as always, the center of attention, telling stories and cracking jokes. At one point you threw your head back as you laughed. That's when you cracked your head against the stone wall behind you.

So the party ended with you making a trip to the emergency room for stitches. It also gave the class clown/most popular kid a few more stories in his repetoire. That's my brother!

I love you Dan.

Monday, July 6, 2009

4th of July

Dear Dan,

A colleague came in and was telling me about his 4th of July. Amit is from India. His father is visiting so Amit decided to give him the 4th experience the way this town does it. He and his dad went to the top of the parking garage across from the post office. There they had a panoramic view of the town and the fireworks display. Amit suggested I do that next year.

That was a very nice thing for him to do but there is a problem. I don't do the top floor of parking garages unless absolutely necessary. I don't care how many levels there are, I don't do top level. The added problem is that this particular garage has seven levels. I know because I counted while sitting at the light one day. Forget the fact I try not to go to that post office because of the parking garage with seven levels is across the street. I have been able to park in the one with five levels and twice since that day in July two years ago, I have had to endure the top deck.

I guess in a way that was good because it made me realize just how determined you had to be in order to jump from there.

Still and all, I won't be watching the fireworks from any parking garage. Mom and I used to watch them from across the street from the apartment, just up the hill. But the trees have gotten too tall.

Maybe next year the ball game will be in the evening and I can see it from the ball park. Or I can go out by Wal-Mart.

I love and miss you Danny.