The Three Letters

This has been an interesting Memorial weekend for me. Usually I choose not to remember the people I have lost in my life. I, instead, try to forget. Today, with love, I would like to share these next 3 letters. The letters are from my dad to my mom and I. I was 7 years old at the time of the letters. My dad passed away in 1986 when I was 15 years old.


Letter 1
Postmarked Dec 15, 1977


Hello Susan and Natalie,

I was glad to hear from ya and hope I do get a picture before Christmas. It's the sh-ts that I won't be able to bring or even buy any gifts for you two. I hope you have a real nice holiday.
How in the hell did you afford to get that mutt out?
What classes are you taking and what's your routine?
That's great your doing so good in school but that's par for you.
I'm sorry that I've made it so hard for you and Natalie but I get crazy ideas in my head. I wished I could set everything straight but I don't know if I can straighten things out for myself. I've been trying to think of how I can get my life going since I've been in here and before, but I get so down I say f--- it. I just cant seem to do it, so I don't know what I'm going to do when I get out. I hope I'll see you and Natalie soon after I get out at the end of January. I think it might do me good to move away. Tell Natalie that her card was the best present I could ever get, it's the neatest card I've ever seen in my life. It's hanging right above my head next to the picture I got of her last year. I love you ladies, always thinking of you.
Well I'm going to sleep now I'll write again soon and tell you about all the sh-t that hit the fan yesterday.

Love you's,
Rob

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Letter 2
Postmarked Dec 21, 1977


Hello Susan and Natalie,

It was good to hear from ya. It sounds like Nat had a nice birthday. I would like to have a picture of you and Natalie if you would send one right away. I should be out sometime after the 25Th of Feb. so I'll come and see you two in February. I wrote Rochelle but I guess her arms are broken or something. Oh ya, I know you still have that picture of ya you had takin a few years ago so send one.
I sent that letter on the first so it must of got lost in the mail for a while. I don't know if Natalie should come up to this f---in' place, Its pretty bad but maybe around the first or sometime, we'll see. I don't know if I can handle to see her because she probably will feel bad and so will I. I'm sorry things are going wrong with everything for you and I'm sorry I cant help ya. Maybe 1978 will be a great year, I'm sure going to try my best to do good. I still have love for you and always will, tell Natalie I love her more than anything in the world. Please write right away.

Love you both,
Rob

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Letter 3
Enclosed with letter 2


Hi Natalie,
I'm sorry I missed your birthday but I tried. I have your picture here with me, the one you sent me last time I was in jail. I wish you a Happy Birthday and I love you very much. I hope you write me and tell me what you get for your Birthday and Christmas. Tell your Mom hi and everybody else. I will see you in Feb. that's when I should get out.

Love you very very much,
Your Father