to my son on his eighth birthday

Geebarino,

We’re spending this birthday on a plane to Walt Disney World, where we’ll meet Nanny, Brenda, Uncle Max, Brandy and Harrison and we’ll celebrate, not only your eighth birthday, but also Dukie’s life.

This past year, we spent quite a bit of time coming to terms with grief. We lost Duke just before your last birthday and we also said goodbye to our Westie, Sally, in July. Luckily, our friends at Olivia’s House helped us find ways to remember and feel close to them.

You spent the summer at the pool with Dad and Holdy and traveling with Mom and Flippy: we camped in Ocean City, Md; camped in the Great Smokey Mountains and went to Dollywood (and the Titanic Museum!) and stayed with “Uncle” Mike and Miss Karin in Stone Harbor, NJ.

You got really into super cars and got to sit in a McLaren and ride in Mr. Tom’s dad’s Tesla. You’ve found your place at Keystone Kidspace, building things and tinkering with Mr. Matthew.

You like to edit photos on your tablet. I don’t always love the result.

In November you had a bit of a scare when you took one of the workout bars in your dad’s basement to the face and chipped your (adult!) front tooth. You healed and the tooth is growing in nicely so we’ll be getting that fixed really soon.

Your latest obsession is… Michael Jackson. That’s led to some uncomfortable conversations about the ability to separate the art from the artist.

Flippy and I get pretty tired of hearing about the King of Pop but your dad has indulged your interest, even getting you the “Beat It” jacket and penny loafers.