Excellent thread. This is from a "letter" I'm writing my 7 year old. I jot down the funny things he does and describe special times we've had together. He's 7 now and I aspire to keep it up until he's 18. (The "letter" is already 80 pages spread over three MS Word docs.)

"We spent the afternoon at the marina visiting with friends. You were a little bored, but you perked up when your mom gave you some bread to feed the fish. Then you built a teepee on the pontoon boat using the poles that hold up the cover. You sat in there for a long time and played a little video game.

We left about sunset and went half way home to our favorite grilling cove. We dropped anchor and shut off the motor. The IPOD was playing some early Robert Earl Keen and then Steve Earle. Your mom fixed us a wonderful meal of mushroom-swiss burgers, black bean and corn salad, and Rice Pilaf. Your mom and I were sitting on the sun pad and you were up front kneeling on the floor with your back to us eating and grooving to the music. When a fun song came on, you spontaneously popped up and did the dance of a six year old. You bobbed and bounced and waved your arms in the air and you didn't care who was watching. Your mom and I sat in the back and giggled softly.

After supper was done and everything was stowed, we three snuggled together in the warm darkness. A dog barked in the distance and a blue heron, or maybe an egret, squawked from the top of a tree. I was lying on my back on the sun pad with you on top of me in my arms. Your mom was softly resting against us on the back seat. The boat's bimini top was folded and tucked neatly in its boot right above us and, if I moved my head just a little to the left, it shielded my eyes from the anchor light. Dozens of little bugs illuminated by the light darted wildly back and forth. They glowed against the back drop of dark clear sky and they dragged blazing trails when I squinted my eyes. I wondered to myself what drives them in their frenzied quest for immolation.

We silently stared at the sky and marveled at the bazillion, yes bazillion, stars above us. You accurately pointed out the Big Dipper to me. Then we remembered the Perseid Meteor Showers are near their peak right now. Ok, now we are on a mission to see shooting stars. Stare at the sky and don't blink because you might miss one. There was a little one. Cool. Mom missed it but you and I saw it. At least you told me you did. A few moments later, another. Then, with no warning or introduction, a really good one zooms across the whole sky right above us. It's strange. There is no sound. It's like a bottle rocket and we are deaf. But no doubt, we all saw that one.

Too soon we realize it's late. We reluctantly pack up, haul anchor and head for home. "

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.