Son,

I was at a Bantam League Football game yesterday, watching your nephew play. This is his first year of tackle football – he is in the third grade. Your Mom and older sister were there. We had a nice chat. Your younger sister and her husband just closed on a new house on Friday. I had sat with her children while they closed the deal – so I knew what was happening. I have also been blogging with you so I am up to speed on Avery’s illness. I really don’t know much, but I knew more than your Mom or sister. I told them about the house closing – they were interested and pleased. I told them about Avery’s continuing illness and they became very somber. A family member buying a house is interesting stuff; a child’s illness is grave business. I was proud of your Mom and sister. They did not harass me for details that I did not know – this was not about me. I could see the concern in their faces. They were processing the information, meager as it was. We resolved our concern by affirming each other that Avery has wonderful parents and has access to the best health care in the world. We were all comforted by knowing that her family is strong and she is in good hands.

You Mom and I talked later. We are so very proud of our children. Each of you are struggling with the same parenting issues that we faced. Illness. School. Home life. Sports. Church versus spirituality. She and I had failures of responsibility in our marriage. We have been very conscious of being responsible the past 17 years that we have not been married. Is ‘Responsible Divorce’ an oxymoron?

Dad