Dad,
Your seven children love and miss you very much. We are writing you this letter in the hopes that you will be able to read it wherever you are and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers every minute of every day.
As you know, Mom is our “Rock.” She has encouraged us to take each day one day at a time. While we are sure it will come as no surprise to you, she has amazing strength and has been an inspiration to all seven of us.
Dad, in your absence, we still strive to make you proud of us. We wanted to share with you some of the things that we have been up to…
The three of us that are in school are receiving good grades and are participating actively in sports and other extracurricular activities. Your second son is heading to Italy in a couple of days, and your youngest daughter is running for president of the school’s National Honor Society in a few weeks.
Your oldest son continues to teach in Japan, and his Japanese is coming along quite well. He has been accepted to several law schools and in the fall will be attending a prominent school that has offered him a scholarship.
Your third daughter has raised over $1250 for the charity walk she is participating in this month. She wanted to thank you for being so encouraging when she first started fundraising.
We have celebrated four birthdays in the past two months, including yours, but they were not the same without you. Your return has been the only present any of us has wanted.
Your first grandchild was baptized last month. You would have laughed as he babbled his way through the entire ceremony! He is beginning to crawl and has cut two teeth already. Every day, his mommy sings to him The Babies Song, your original song which you sang to each one of us. He has grown and changed so much in such a short time.
We thought of you all day on yours and Mom’s 33rd wedding anniversary. We wish that the two of you could have been together to celebrate so many years of “domestic bliss,” as you call it. Your marriage is a shining example of what we all aspire to.
Speaking of mom again, we celebrated Mothers’ Day with her this past weekend. There were four of us Levinson children, plus your son-in-law and your grandson, who were able to enjoy our dinner together. It was the first Mothers’ Day for your second daughter. Needless to say, your presence was truly missed.
Everyone who knows and loves you has been sending their love, support, and well wishes to you, Mom, and us kids. We know that you would appreciate all of the kind words that have been spoken about you.
We are all looking forward to your welcome home party. It cannot seem to come soon enough. We pray for you every day and look forward to having you come home to us safe and sound.
Dad, you are the best dad anyone could ever ask for, and we love and miss you more than words can say. We are so proud of you, and the world now knows what we have known all along – what an intelligent, kind, and gentle man you are.
Love,
Your Children
(Bugga Bird, Lumpy, Goose, Memmo, Happy J. Face, Turtle Girl, and the Roasted Baby)