A Letter to Kevin

The idea, for this letter, came after watching the movie, “Taking Chance” with Kevin Bacon.  It was quite by accident that I watched it.  I was on a business trip, (don’t recall where), lying in bed, flipping through the channels, trying to find something I could fall asleep to, when I came across this movie, on HBO.  Suffice to say, I didn’t get to sleep very early that night.  After watching the movie, “A Letter to Kevin” was written, in a few short minutes, and became the opening for my book.

I recently recorded the movie so Bev could watch it…I didn’t realize she was such a great multi-tasker, seems like she was cutting up a lot of onions, while watching the movie.

If you get a chance check out the movie (and the book).

A Letter to Kevin 

Dear Kevin,

Well, son, it was one incredible journey.  I kept you close to me all the way.  Your ashes were there, in my backpack, to give me strength and courage every time I spoke.  We walked together through barren deserts, withering wind, snow and rain storms, up over high, mountain passes and down through beautiful, sun-drenched, mountain valleys, for the final time.

I played back so many fond memories of you, as I walked.  Memories of the day you were born, your many baseball and soccer games, trips to the county fair with your pigs, sitting at our dinner table talking about life, our many hunting trips together, hugging you so tight after you graduated from high school, and yes, the last time I saw you alive.  I hugged you and told you I loved you and to be careful. I then stood on our front porch and watched as you drove away, for the final time.

At the viewing, before the memorial, I was there, but I didn’t go in.  I stood outside with friends and family—hugging, laughing, and crying.  I chose to not see you lying in a casket, but to remember you as you lived: Your love for a good laugh, a good friend, and for life.

You taught me many things in life, about being a father and what it means to love a child.  Your death has taught me how deep that love goes and that life holds no guarantees.  You taught me that God has a plan for each of us and sometimes someone must die so that others might live.

You are no longer with us physically, but you will always be in our hearts.

Love,
The dad