Sunday, 31 August
Good Morning
Justin…
It’s the
Labor Day weekend. I don’t care how hot
it is there’s the feel of Fall in the air, like it’s the first day of
school. We’ve turned a corner and there’s
no going back. Halloween get-ups are
beginning to creep onto the retail shelves, taking the place of notebooks and
other school supplies. Swimsuits are
marked seventy percent off in this part of the country. All community pools will soon close. It’s near time the leaves begin falling from
trees. Are you ready for another round
of family gatherings for the holidays?
Hold
everything. Let’s not get ahead of
ourselves. The acorns are still locked
in the crowns of their trees. I haven’t yet
heard the sound of a single one land on a roof and roll off into a rain
gutter. The day I hear that sharp thunk followed
by its tailing uneven rolling rattle is the day we can officially mark as the start
of Autumn. It won’t be long. It arrives before the first votes are cast. Yes, this is an election year. This is good.
I’m a someone again. My Senator can’t stop thinking of me. She’s always in need of my money. If only I can open my wallet one more time we
can maybe meet our monthly goal. Please.
Even five dollars would be so gratefully
received. Surely I won’t miss such a trifling
amount. Won’t I take a moment of my time
right now and wire off the money immediately?
By the way… am I aware a gift of another twenty dollars or more will
place me on a list of donors deserving special thanks from the Senator and her
family? The Senator hopes I realize how
important a person I am to her. That’s
why she feels good about asking me for an additional hundred dollars. After all, I am just like family. Yes, these are desperate times. No, I certainly don’t want to see my freedoms
eroded. I can make a difference. People have turned to me to help put things
right. The campaign is at a critical
juncture. It’s up to me, now. I stand tall.
I’m big enough to meet this challenge.
Doesn't a
hundred dollars seem a bit small for the task at hand? The Senator knows I won’t let her down. I’ll simply juggle these bills a bit and see
what’s left to give. It’s a tidy sum for
a man living on social security. My heart
swells with humility knowing the appreciation felt towards me. Please don’t embarrass me by unduly fussing over
my generosity. Let’s just say I've made
a wise investment in democracy and the future of our nation. I’m feeling quite the statesman right now. Yes. May
I suggest we not publicize the extent of my contribution? I've come to appreciate that my role in
saving western civilization is all the thanks I’ll ever need. Each dollar freely given from my wallet acts
now as a sentry protecting justice and fair play.
I’m overwhelmed. I've scaled heights too dizzy even for
me. Maybe I've over reacted. Am I truly ready to take on all this
responsibility? You did say five
dollars, right? Listen, you know I’d
love to help but I don’t get paid for another week. If only I hadn't bought that Starbucks latte
the other day. I swear to you here and
now I wouldn't have bought it had I realized you needed another five. Five bucks seems so little. Gee, there’s got to be plenty of people other
than me that can swing you a five. Why
don’t you ask around. Maybe I know
someone that can help. I can’t promise
anything. Most people I know are voting
for the other guy. They’re all good
people, though. Guaranteed they’ll feel
just terrible knowing five dollars can mean so much and yet be so far out of
reach. A horse! A horse!
My kingdom for a horse. Mark
Twain, I think.
Love,
Dad
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