This is an excerpt from my book, Windsong.  Today I was looking through some old papers and found some "letters" I'd written to my son, Simon, when he was less than a year old.  Enjoy!

 

Windsong: to be added somewhere in my book.

 

Chapter ?

 

Letters to Simon

 

 

Introduction

 

            In 1976, I started writing letters to my son, Simon.  I've decided to send him the hard copy.  In addition, I'll work this chapter into my autobiography.  In March of 1976, we were living with my parents in North Carolina.  Their large house had two stairways at that time.  I'd been in a car accident in Louisiana in late 1975 and we would stay in North Carolina until mid-April while I recovered.  My injuries had been significant but not major, with a dislocated right wrist and the tip of my tibia fractured.  The story was discussed earlier so I won't repeat the accident details here.

 

Sabbath, March 13, 1976

 

Dear Simon,

 

            Right now you don't understand this [what I'm writing].  You're crawling on the floor practicing saying "t" or "ta" for the first time.  In the future, you'll probably treasure these notes if I faithfully write a bit each day.  You like playing with the desk, moving the writing board in and out, and playing with the knob.  You're holding on to  my finger as you stoop down and try to pick up the floor itself.  No, you can't walk, but you crawl or stand whenever you get a chance.  When you grow up, I hope you remember one thing. . . . Love.  A father's, a mother's and a heavenly father's and his son's.  It makes a difference.  I know.  We love you, Simon. 

 

                                                                                                Papa.

 

March 14, 1976

 

Hi Simon,

 

            Today, you did another first.  I put you on the stairs and up you went.  Hands on the first step and feet on the floor . . . to hands on the second step then pull feet up to the first . . . that's how you went, hands-feet, hands-feet,, like there was nothing to it.  You'll probably walk soon.  We played "crawling-hide-and-seek" a little while ago.  I'd crawl away and hide and you'd crawl after and find me.  Well, I got to quit. You are crawling away.

 

                                                                                                Papa.

 

Monday, March 15, 1976

 

            Hi, again.  I missed today, it's tomorrow already!

 

Tuesday

 

Dear Simon,

 

            Guess what you did today!  You reached under the dresser and found a mouse trap.  And it was loaded.  Boy, were you surprised!  Lucky you didn't get hurt much.  I'm attending my first 5-day Plan to Stop Smoking, not because I ever smoked, but I'm trying to learn how to lead one.

 

March 17, 1976,

 

            I had a good time with you this morning playing with your block.  I built it and you pulled out blocks and whatever it was fell down.

 

Thursday, March 17, 1976

 

Dear Simon,

 

            You advanced a bit more today.  Mama saw you take a block of wood out of the one box and put it into another box.  Up to now you just threw them out of the box.  You're learning!

 

            Once you grabbed my pants and stood up.  I started to walk away and you hung on and toddled along behind.  Now I know why they call small children toddlers; they're likely to fall over.

 

                                                                                                Love, Papa.

 

Friday, March 19, 1976

 

            Guess where Uncle Gregory found you today.  Mama was "watching" you in the kitchen.  Aunt Nancy was "watching" you in the dining room.  But you found your way through the living room and up the stairs!

 

                                                                                                Papa

 

Sabbath, March 20, 1976

 

            Hi, Simon,

 

            You got a new state today.  We got you across the South Carolina line.

 

                                                                                                Papa

 

Sunday, March 21, 1976

 

            Your mama fed you while you were standing on your feet tonight!  Not quite literally, but you sure were trying.  Head on the bed and feet in the air!

 

            You tried a new stunt today.  You climbed up a coffee table for the first time and loved every minute of it.

 

            We've been taking walks outside alot lately and you really enjoy being on my shoulders.

 

                                                                                                Love, Papa