Old Letter

Last weekend, I brought home a box from my mother's basement full of a lot of childhood memories for me. She kept nearly all my baseball and basketball uniforms. Some of those were in there, along with some medals, a couple trophies, some stuffed animals, etc. I also found an envelope addressed with my name written on the outside of it in my father's handwriting. The envelope was sealed. I ripped it open out of curiosity, and there was a letter inside from 1986.

Dear Skip (Dad often called me this),

Husbands work on their marriages. Daddies don't leave their children. I'm sorry I wasn't much of a father for what I did to you boys. One day, you'll find this letter, and I hope you will forgive me for leaving you, Sam, Danny, and your mother. Whenever you do read this letter, please let it find you with peace in your heart, son. When you have a wife and kids of your own, God will make you a great family man. If it gets tough, work it out. I lost it all the day I fell into that trap son. Don't fall into it either. I love you so much. I'm so proud that you're my son.

Love, Dad

It was tucked inside one of my yearbooks in the athletic section. I don't know if Dad even wanted it found. I showed it to Kate. I don't know if I necessarily need to show it to Dad. That was a long time ago, and life has moved forward. It obviously wasn't what I was expecting to find amongst the happy childhood memories.