009: ON 2022 & A BED TIME STORY
Love, Dad, is a real-life series of ongoing letters to my children. While these letters are intended to be read by them later in life, I feel that many of us — parents and non-parents alike — connect with the stories, lessons and moments that forever bond us to those whom we love.
In this week’s letter I share a story I told my daughter before bedtime on the eve of 2023. The story looks at the year and the year prior, setting up how we got to this moment and what it means for me.
-Dan
To you both + your mama,
As I was getting Hallie ready for bed last night I told her a story. It was a story about the year… a story about where we’d come from… and a story about where I hoped we’d go:
Hallie, my girl, I want to tell you a story about you and about your brother and about your mama. It’s a story about hope and fear and love and anxiety and gratitude. You see, my darling little lady, I’ve never been one to stay up on New Years Eve. But this time last year - moving from 2021 to 2022 - I felt a need to see 2021 into the history books and welcome 2022 with open, hopeful arms.
2021 was a tremendously difficult year. A year that started with so much hope led to months of heartbreak and uncertainty. And then, without warning, the year ended with finding out you were you… a spark of possibility.
And, so I sat, watching the clock countdown to midnight. Slowly time ticked closer.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
There it is. Here it is. Here you are.
As midnight struck, with your mama asleep next to me, I said a prayer, asking for you to be here with me just like you are now, asking for your mama to be healthy through it all, and asking for your brother (and all of us) to be happy and healthy together.
And look at us now, Hallie-oo!
For reasons I can explore in another letter, 2022 has been a year of extremes, seemingly bisecting the year right in half. January through June was an emotional mix of hopeful anticipation, cautious optimism and rising fear. July through December couldn’t have been more different than the first half of the year. It’s been an overwhelmingly happy time (mixed in with bouts of sleepy eyes and foggy-minded mornings) that has brought us all together in new and wonderful ways.
Graham, you’ve BLOSSOMED as a big brother. Sure, you’re a rowdy little guy, but you love your sister with everything you’ve got and have already assumed the role of her protector. Looking back at pictures from the year it’s nearly impossible to believe how much you’ve grown, yet you’ve retained your love for all things community helpers and saving the day.
Hallie, you’re here with us and you’re happy and healthy and smiley and amazing. I can’t help but smile when I see you and kiss your head when I hold you. Some of my favorite moments from the year have been holding you while you nap, doing nothing more than listening to you breathe and kissing the top of your furry head. You’ve brought so much joy to us.
Jenni, I’m not sure what there is to say that I haven’t been preaching for a few years now. You’re a tremendous woman, a loving mother and a caring (and patient) wife. You’ve been through the ringer the past few years and you’ve persevered in a heroic way.
I love you all and feel so blessed to be part of your lives.
Love,
Dad
Written Dec. 31, 2022