‘I rather expected you to exercise a bit more control’

Still emptying boxes. The above picture was discovered in the vicinity of the note below. This is our kitchen—still is, actually—and my dad used to stand on one end, near the back door, and toss his fishing cap in the direction of my head. A kind of horseshoes. I remember him doing this, except that more likely I am just thinking of this photograph.

January 26, 1972

Brendan, me boy,

I trust, lad, that the time will come when you will exhibit a bit more intelligence than that presently displayed. You are on your third day of diarrahea (sp?), and you seem to enjoy it! I had rather expected you to exercise a bit more control by now.

Actually, Brendan, I am quite proud of you. I get rather excited when I think of your future. I do hope I won’t be too hard on you. Love God and your fellow man, and serve both. Remember the Sermon on the Mount.

Peace,

Your father

Funny that today neither of us particularly loves nor serves God, and only my dad serves his fellow man. And what strange ways we’ve chosen to communicate with one another . . .

PREVIOUSLY: Kitties cute and easy to love. Courage tastes of blood.

This is one in an occasional series documenting unlikely discoveries made while unpacking thirty-seven brown boxes of books and papers.

Comments

[Melissa]

What a world we grew up in -- where the kitchens were carpeted. Says a lot.