Dear Boy and Lass

Yes. I could hear you. Yes. I was ignoring you.

Remember, this morning? When I was mowing the lawn, right in front of you while you played on the swing? You kept calling me and calling me and I kept not responding? Yeah, then. I could hear you the whole time. Despite the racket from the mower. And the ear plugs in my ears.

Of course, I couldn’t tell what you were saying, other than “DAD!!” But I was able to infer that it was not terribly important. How? Well, because the entire time you were yelling for me, and I was ignoring you, you guys never left the play gym. And since it was obvious that neither of you was injured, and you’re both toilet trained so it wasn’t a potty emergency, I decided that it was in everyone’s best interest if you waited. So I let the earplugs and the mower noise serve as a pretense for my inability to “not hear you.”

Why was it in everyone’s best interest?

Well, I wanted to get the lawn mowed. If I answered you every time you called for me I’d still be mowing it now, about 2 hours later. Heck, I might still be mowing it tomorrow.

Why was it in your best interest? Well, I think it afforded you the opportunity to learn any one of a number of lessons:

• Courtesy- when someone is working, and your need is not dire, let them complete their task before asking something more of them
• Respect for someone else’s time. I know you think every little thing that pops into your mind needs to be serviced now, Now, NOW! But it’s just not the case.
• Patience- I think we’ve already covered that your “need” could wait.
• Self-Initiative- maybe you could have dealt with the problem yourself.

I’m aware that you can’t read or understand this letter at this time, but soon you will be capable. Perhaps someday you’ll discover this little corner of the world and stumble across this letter. Hopefully, by then, you’ll have absorbed the afore mentioned lessons and get a kick out of the antics of your past selves. Plus, you’ll know for sure how “Dad” dealt with you in this one instance.

You can do with that knowledge as you will.

Love- Dad

PS- Yes. Other people can read this.

PPS- Yes. Grandma and Grandpa and Memere and Grandpa read hear. I can’t say for sure if they’ve read this particular letter. Your Uncles and Aunts as well.

PPPS- No, you can’t play the Wii.