Dear Derrick,

You are definitely putting your new cell phone to use! I am so happy we got it for you! I love being able to talk to you anytime you are at your dad's or uncle's house.


We are going to see Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow. I hope they are doing okay. I know grandma has a cold and grandpa will be tired from work. I know you will do your best to help grandpa out. You are such a wonderful kid.

We are staying until Monday because you don't have school. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and it is a holiday. This man was very important. He has helped sculpt the way we live today, years after his death.


Well, I need to get to bed. Working early tomorrow.


Love you,

Mom

Dear Derrick,

This weekend, we went to visit your Uncle Jim. Grandma went with us. We drove to pick her up, then drove to Kansas City to visit. You had a wonderful time at Dave and Busters. You won a bunch of tickets on the wheel spin. Grandma was so proud of you, as was I. Uncle Jim couldn't believe how many tickets you won!

I have to tell you that I am very worried about Grandpa. I don't think he has been feeling very well. I am making an appointment for him to see an endocrinologist. Your grandpa has had some problems when he has his bowel movements. I know it's kind of gross to talk about, but you are very grown up and it is important. Your aunt Mary called tonight crying. She was very sad. She thinks Grandpa has colon cancer.

Oh my God.... my poor dad. I hope he is okay. He is only 53 and I want him to live to see you have children one day. It breaks my heart more than anything to know he might be very sick.

Derrick, sweetie, I am hurting so much inside. You still are unsure about death. I worry about the pain you will have to endure when someone close to you dies. When my Grandpa died, I was so sad. I cried for days and days. It is a very painful thing to go through.

I did not want to write you today about something so sad, but you must learn that sometimes, life can be very sad. We will hope for the best always.

I love you very much.

Love you,
Mom

Dear Derrick,

Tomorrow you are going back to school. I know you are probably not looking forward to it, but, that is life. You have had a really good Christmas break - restful and fun.

Here are some of the gifts you received this year. From your Uncle Jim, you got a 10 gallon fish tank and a $25 gift card to Wal-mart for accessories. From your Aunt Marnie, you received a Chief's hoodie and hat and a WSU hoodie. From grandma and grandpa you received some clothes and some kind of remote control flying thing (can you tell I know what I am talking about?). Josh and I gave you your first cell phone, two books, lots of clothes, a bunch of SpongeBob gadgets, the Simpsons Sorry game, and a couple of other things. Some gifts you received from other family members were a little bank, the Simpsons Movie, and some glow sticks.

You really wanted a some sort of storm launcher? but did not receive one. We are planning something big for your 13th birthday. I can't wait.

Well, I better get off of this computer so I can make sure you are ready for tomorrow. By the way, you have a bottomless pit of an appetite!

Love you,
Mom

Dear Derrick,

It's the first day of the new year, and though many people will be making resolutions, I don't think I will. Today, you are at your aunt and uncle's house, I am sure.

No worries. I will be picking you up this afternoon. I miss you when you go with your dad. I wish I could have you all to myself. How selfish am I? Very!

Love you,
Mom