Hortense, Singing Spider, & Greatest Dad

 Dear Kids, 

I want to write tonight about Hortense "The Singing Spider". 

Your dad is fired because he doesn't even remember what happened to cause Hortense to become "alive" and one of the biggest things for bedtime routine! But it is. Hortense and her brother "Bobby". When Hortense comes out (and you won't let me try doing it, because I don't do it right. It is your dad's thing) it's AMAZING what happens to all of you. 

You are excited to tell Hortense all about your day.  You can't wait to explain everything to Hortense and how your are feeling about things. It really quite phenomenal what happens when Hortense comes out. You truly bear your soul to her, the Singing Spider. You have to sing to make her come out and then when she does, you just think it's the GREATEST thing ever. 

Watching it happen has been so good for me to realize how much children process everything through play. You express your feelings to Hortense in a way that you would never express completely to your dad and I. But Hortense is different (even though it is your dad who is actually playing Hortense... to all of you, she is REAL), you just love telling her all about everything. 

When I see your dad entertaining you with his stories and with Hortense, The Singing Spider, I think to myself, "These kids have the GREATEST dad in the world."

Remember kids, there will be plenty of times in your life when you will be frustrated with your dad about things. You will be mad at him because he won't let you go on a date with certain people. Or you will be mad because he pushes you to work hard, or because he won't allow you to come up with excuses. He expects high things of you. But also remember that he played with you too. He LOVES telling you stories. He loves it when you play along with make believe, especially with Hortense. He plays hide and seek with you. He carries you to bed. He loves you. He snuggles with you. He will always be there for you. 

You have the greatest dad. He has been learning how to be a dad through following the spirit. Remember that he didn't have an example of what a dad was all about. His dad (Grandpa Milton) gave into his demons and wasn't present for your dad. And by the time your dad was 8 years old he had to be the man of the house. Then when he was 17 years old he had to process the death of his father, especially since it was suicide. 

Your dad wants to change the tide and break the chains. He is doing AMAZING at it. There are times I watch him and the spirit tells me and shows me really how much he has gone through and how much he has improved his soul, and I want to tell you right now that his spirit is magnificent. 

Thank you for coming to our family. Thank you for being our children. Because I KNOW your dad LOVES being your dad. He loves you so much. 

I love you too, 

Your Mom