An early spring...

Dear Nicky,

I've been remiss about writing for several days now. I'm embarrassed to say I've been a little lazy. Since I last wrote, Mom and I went to San Francisco, where I had a mediocre time; the whole family went to Florida, where we all had a pretty nice time indeed, although you didn't eat much; Mom was away for a whole week for a business seminar; yesterday was Family Fun Day for Stones, where you danced a lot and won a Star Wars playset.

But this afternoon was especially gratifying. And heartwarming. When you came home, we had to go out to mail a card to a friend offering sympathies for the loss of his mother. It was such a nice day that I decided we should go to a park. At this park, some really nice boys totally included you in all their play activities, which included hide and seek, and ring around the rosy. You played with them very well and it was nice to see there are those kinds of kids around. There was also this inclined plastic tunnel that you wanted to ascend. It was initially difficult because you kept slipping, but you would grab the handholds and just keep trying and trying till you succeeded. "I did it!" you exclaimed when you reached the top. Afterward in the car you said, "I had fun!"

I'm so proud of you. I was so happy to witness these simple, small things.

Love,
Dad