“Letters from Mom”

Mom wrote me hundreds of letters and would often send me greeting cards with snipped comics or articles from newspapers or magazines she thought I'd enjoy.

Being a parent is hard work.

Oct. 22, 1991
Hi, honey,

It’s, believe it or not, 7:20 A.M. I just dropped Jenny off at school and came in to the office. I have a lot of work to do, plus I figured I could write you a quick letter. Jenny had to take a make-up test in Pre-Cal. They’re taking the PSATs today. The only thing Jenny said about it was, “Don’t expect great things from me like David did.” I felt so bad I tried to tell her again that all I ever asked is that you guys do the best you can. I never thought there was much competition between you two, but maybe she does feel a little inadequate. Or maybe someone at school made a comment. This mother stuff doesn’t get any easier. God, I wish I could figure out how to help her. She’s really special, you know, all by herself, all alone. I guess I need to be more careful. I know I’ve gotten on her a couple of times about you having a job when you were fifteen — but you had help getting it, and there just aren’t as many jobs out there. (I asked at Burger King the other day and they said they weren’t hiring.) I don’t know – Heaven help me, I’ve tried to never compare you. You’re both so precious to me. I guess all I can do is hope she does well – for her sake – and be supportive if she doesn’t.

On a lighter note; they’re blowing up Orlando’s city hall tonight. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are in town to film Lethal Weapon III, and their stunt doubles will run from the building. People actually waited until 3:30 this morning to catch a sighting of them doing some preliminary work. Imagine anyone being crazy enough to say up all night just to see an actor (a la Raceway!).

The Patriots won Sunday. They actually have a better record than the Dolphins.

                got to school late yesterday because she was getting back from Minnesota. She told Jenny that when Greg Gagne hit the home run she was thinking of her. So her dad probably was, too. Neat. I know, I can tell Jenny that no one at the World Series ever thought about you. Help!

I wanted to call you last night when you got back from the movie, but I fell asleep. Once in a while, I have a couple of days when I’m so exhausted I can’t function. I guess I’ve pretty much always been like that. I get frustrated, though. I keep feeling like there are things I should be doing.

This is the second time this week I’ve seen the dawn. You remember “dawn”. That’s when the sun comes UP. I realize that you may have seen it a couple of times yourself lately and not been aware of it! Just kidding.

Anyway, I guess I’ll get started working. It’s billing close week and I’m usually swamped so a little extra time helps. I love you lots. Some days I miss you like hell. Some days I just miss you, you know? But I’m happy for you as long as you’re happy. Take care of yourself –

Love,
Mom