Donkey Kong Junior

Hi Salem,

I'm writing this from my garage, which we have been calling the 'garcade' because that's where daddy has been building a small arcade. It's where I go to exercise, tinker with old gadgets, hang out with friends and listen to weird music. Really, it's just a place where I go to think, and in between a few moments of me-time I stumble upon these thoughts which I've never had a chance to sort through. This might be a strange letter, but follow me (your dad is a mystical dude).

You're two years-old now and slowly sneaking upon those days when you'll begin remembering your experiences in the world around you more clearly. You are currently on learning overdrive, and your mother and I feel like we are watching real magic when we see you put your thoughts together and make connections. You're talking so much now, and I just want it to be remembered that your longest sentences are usually song lyrics, especially the ones about monster trucks.

You might not be remembering each day in the same way adults do, but you're absorbing everything constantly. It's my job to make sure you are soaking up the best of the world around you while patiently exposing you to the not-so-pretty side of the world, a side we have yet to talk about. God it breaks my heart to ever think of that side of the world getting the best of you. I'm trying really hard not to worry, but this parenting thing is real and there is so much that is possible in one lifetime. I trust the winds and I believe in the good things coming. I also believe that you are the best thing that has ever happened to my world and I know the rest of the Earth will find you to be incredible like I do everyday.

Here's something fun that I like to muse myself with. You're two. When I was exactly your age it was March, 1984. I don't remember that month very clearly, but I do feel the excitement of learning about that time and listening to its music. I'm a little lost for new music these days, but I can tell you that your mother and I tried our best to bring you up with the classics much like we were raised. You and I dance in the kitchen just like I did with my mother, and countless photos have emerged proving that we have been doing this for many generations. 

Your father's family has a lot going on, and I could only imagine what I'll be able to remember to pass on to you. There are so many great stories, but also great memories. They feel like portals, and when I really concentrate I can transport myself back just for a split second to when I was little like you. I hope you're enjoying this ride Salem, I know we are!

-Dad

Side Quests

 Hi Salem,

You're at Grandma and Pop-Pop's right now with Uncle Jimmy. About a month or so ago we 

started putting your car seat facing forward, and that opened up a whole new world for you 

and I. Driving around with you is so much fun, and something happened today that I want to 

remember. 

When we were getting ready to leave this morning, you started saying things like, "what is this?", 

and "I can do this". You're beginning to put sentences together and it makes me so excited to be 

able to talk with you soon in much more detail. 

I'm a language teacher. I hope that I don't annoy you with my stories, or that I don't exaggerate 

too much about things that you were there to see. My point is that I'm completely changing into this 

dad-person every day, and just like you I'm growing and learning constantly. 

I'm not perfect, and that's okay, but I do have a few fears. I worry sometimes that you and I won't be 

buddies in the future. Sometimes fathers and sons get on weird, and I'm pretty guilty of being a 

strange person. But, I promise you that you will always be the shining light of my heart, and everything 

I say or do is out of awe that you are my son. You are my proudest moments and my most grateful of 

days. Let's just stay buddies, okay? 

So, you have this light-up thing that your Aunt Becca gave you. It makes rocket ships, star, planets 

and space objects float through your ceiling and bedroom walls at night. We lay in your bed every 

night and stare at the celestial shapes passing before us, and it's probably one of my most cherished 

moments of all time. 

See those stars, Salem? See that sky? They say it's the limit, but that's only true if you believe in limits. 

Follow your heart and don't forget that your father is incredibly proud to have you as a son.

-Dad

Letters to Salem

Hey Salem, You just turned 2 a few days ago, and I couldn't put this off for any longer. I want to write a few things down so we can look back at them someday, but also so you can know what it was like when you were very little. 

 You're a very curious little boy. I love to watch you see things for the first time and then become fascinated for days. A few short months ago you became interested in monster trucks, but you recently discovered dinosaurs (you call them 'saurs'). I think the water has been your most amazing discovery though, and this winter I am hoping to take you to swim lessons somewhere, although I'm not yet sure where. 

I love when we cuddle up and read stories before bed or nap time. As I write this, it hits me that you're too big to sit on my lap in a rocking chair before bed, and I will always remember those nights fondly. I used to hum to you, 'I got you babe..' and a little tear just came to my eye as I wrote those words. 

You're becoming a really cool guy, Salem. You make everybody smile whenever you are near, and we miss you whenever you are gone. I want to tell you something about the future, but there is no way to ever know what the future will bring. I want to show you so many things. I want to show you waterfalls, and not just the ones at Bavarian Inn. Those are nothing compared to the waterfalls in the jungle. Did you know your mom and I used to live in the jungle? 

Well, this is a new project I'm making, and I hope you find it someday. If I'm good about this, I'll write every so often and share with you a few thoughts. I think you're about to wake up from your nap and I should go eat something. I just shaved my head yesterday. I like it. I was worried that you wouldn't recognize me, but you smiled big when you saw me just like you always do. 

 Hey Salem, I hope we're buddies in the future. I'm trying my best to make a cool world for you to grow up in. I can't keep this bubble safe forever, and someday you'll be off to school. I just hope that you know this place will always be safe for you to come back to, and I will always be your dad. 

Love you, Slim 

-Dad