Dear Spike,
So ends the most epic summer ever.
You mastered the fine art of bicycle riding. You learned to
swim like a mermaid. You learned to sew. You ate a raw oyster. You hiked
Yosemite. You watched a lot of Phineas and Ferb.
OK, maybe that last part wasn’t so epic. (Although, I’ll be
honest: That show — about all the amazing ways that two boy geniuses and their
pet platypus while away the summer hours — is pretty much the best thing ever
put on TV.)
Now, with just about 10 hours to go before you return to
school, I’m feeling a bit jealous. I spent the better part of my summer
finishing the book. It’s off to the publisher now, and I’m proud and happy
about that (and, yes, about the check, too) but I feel like I missed a lot of
really cool things this summer.
You and your mom were like the dynamic duo of afternoon
activities. Bam! Off to the zoo. Wham-o! Into to the museum. Biff! Up the
mountains for a hike.
Holy solstice scheduling, Batman!
In fairness: Our very privileged life gives me more opportunities
to spend time with you than many dads have with their children. I’m a really
fortunate guy in that way — so I’m not complaining.
But next summer, I think, I’m going to try to take it just a
little bit easier. That doesn’t mean I’ll drop all my pursuits and projects (I
don’t think I’d be very good company if I didn’t have a lot to do) but maybe
we’ll take a vacation where I don’t bring my phone and computer along.
Summers are, I hear, one of the really great perks of being
a teacher. I suppose I might as well try it out.
Love,
dad
