Business Mail

I was 4 years old when this letter came for me in the mail. And it's NOT from my mother.

It's a little change of pace and I'm happy to share it. As a matter-of-fact, I still have a smile on my face after reading my father's letter. (For those of you unfamiliar with this blog, I should mention that he died of pancreatic cancer when I was 8.) Looking at his words, I realized that even then he probably knew about my mom, perhaps foreshadowed the mail I'd save from her, and the day I'd need to use it as proof. What if HE TOO had a growing collection of actual letters written to him...by her? I guess I'll never know for sure.

What I DO know is when it came to my dad, there were no cuckoo warnings. No unwarranted fears. No loose change taped to a piece of paper. Only a father...who really did know best. Happy Thanksgiving!


Mr. Adam Chester
99 black Oak Ridge Road
Wayne, New Jersey

Dear Adam:
Here is some very important business mail for you to keep with all your other very important pieces of business mail that are filed away in exotic places on Black Oak Ridge Road.
With all my love to the best little boy in the whole world!
All my love always,
"Daddy"

 

Has It Been Ten Years For You?

Every year, we all receive our share of Happy Something-Or-Other-Day cards. Short. Sweet. Thoughtful. Nice reminders that somebody out there remembers a special occasion.

Every 10 years, I receive the following...

Saturday
Adam-
I was thinking how long ago I had a tetanus shot & for me-it's been about 5 years-
I don't know when you had a tetanus shot-Do you?- I know you're supposed to have one every 10 years-has it been 10 years for you? I know you had one in California-Do you remember the doctor that gave it to you? You could call & ask how long ago you had it if you know who gave it to you-
Love-
Mom

 

SAY UNCLE

OK.
Fine.
I give up.

12/19/89

Adam,
Another reminder-
Don't ever let Michael (your uncle) into your apartment.
Love,
Mom

 

I Have To Go Now

This letter from 1987 contains one of the finest
stream-of-consciousness ramblings probably since Joyce’s, "Ulysses". Or is it more like Stephen King's Annie Wilkes, from "Misery"?
You decide.

Tuesday
Dear Adam-
Did you ever get the signal fixed on the car?
Also, did you ever get the contact lenses cleaned to your liking?
Otherwise, I have to call the office where I bought them.
Did you ever get Master Card? To find out about the $6.?
I paid them for the car and the additional air money.
I have to go now.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Enclosed find check for $50. to help with food.

 

Florida

This was SO close to being a normal postcard.

January 20th, 2001

I was laying out on the beach this morning-I was having good weather-Hope you have the same when you're here-
Love,
Mom

Be careful of the Jellyfish-

 

Children At The Door

Just in time for Halloween, I found this one from 1995.
Here's...................................Joanie!!!!!

Dictionary:
Dana=girlfriend at the time
Michael=my "evil" Uncle
Paper=The New York Post or equivalent

10/28
Dear Adam & Dana-
Am at my desk and thought I'd drop a line re: Halloween-
When you open the door to give out candy-Please make sure it's children at the door as they're having robbers go out on Halloween to rob people's houses-I read it in paper-
Also-When you go to Miami on Thanksgiving-Please don't give Michael a ride anywhere as he goes to 'bad' places & don't let him drive the car-Just stay far away from him-Really!!
I sent Nan the picture of you & me-Adam-in Boston that you gave me.
Take care of each other-
Love-
Mom

 

Hawaii is Safe

This letter was mailed to me on May 17th, 2001, several months before Maria and I got married. We still hadn't finalized our honeymoon plans at the time, so of course, a good suggestion never hurts...

Wed.
Adam & Maria-

You shouldn't go to South America on your honeymoon-I was just watching news on TV & the militia in Columbia just kidnapped some more Americans-They have been doing this in parts of South America & it is not safe there-It is not safe in Israel either-
Hawaii is safe-Please don't put yourself in harms way when you're just starting out together!-
Love,
Mom
P.S.-You're supposed to have a tetanus shot every 10 years-when was your last one given? I think I asked you before-