YOU shouldn’t write with a broken pencil because it’s pointless.-David Crystal,
A Little Book of Language
A Little Book of Language
Twenty-six years ago today I wrote this letter to my mother…
The song of the week on January 12, 1988 was GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU by George Harrison: January 12, 1988
Dear Mom,
It seems a little bird flew by and told me to write you a letter. I hope this will please you and/or make your day brighter. I love you.
I have been thinking of dad a lot. As time goes by it seems like memories come about and it starts to drill into my mind again that his being is no longer here. I miss him so much. And like I told you before, I’m not only lacking a father but a best-friend. But then again the memories can make you feel happy because at least we shared those times, right?
In fact, just the other day I received a brochure from a movie club and hadn’t realized how many movies I’d seen with dad and you together. There are some movies that you and he saw together too. I want to share those memories with you now because they are all good. In watching each movie I still remember how he felt while watching them. How he laughed watching PORKY’S. How he asked us questions about what was going on in BLUE VELVET. How he got a kick out of Dustin Hoffman in TOOTSIE. How he felt sorry and got all into the TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL story. It was a slow-moving film but it brought him back to how he wanted to go to New Mexico to retire one day for his own return trip to bountiful near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (near Mora, NM). How he got so excited at the sight of his first car (the 55 Blue Ford) in the movie PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED. How we had to explain the plot of BODY HEAT. How we thought we were watching a stupid movie in ENEMY MINE. How the country flicks thrilled him like COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER. How he got a kick out of RISKY BUSINES. How he mellowed with interest in the movies THE GODFATHER Part I and II and SCARFACE. How he got into ON GOLDEN POND, AGNES OF GOD and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
He got a tickle in his funny bone over PEE WEE HERMAN’S BIG ADVENTURE, too…didn’t he? HE liked the serious side of stories like PLACES IN THE HEART and CRIMES OF THE HEART, too. Do you remember that? I think the key five movies were his last. It is those that I remember best because they were the last films we saw with him…LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: He thought the man eating plant was funny. And you watched STAND BY ME with him. Do you remember you thought that the fat boy was ‘me’ when I was little (Thanks a lot—Ha-ha!). Dad really teased you when your tears came rolling down over THE COLOR PURPLE; yet, he knew it was altogether sad himself. And last but not least THE BEDROOM WINDOW had him so involved in such a mystery. Oh well…I just wanted to share these few movie magic memories that I hold dear and true. This letter is also a reminder that you are NOT alone, mom. I miss the guy a lot.
It saddens me. I know you’ve shared more moments alone with him and it’s hard for you sometimes, but keep in mind he did tell me one day, “Take care of mom if anything happens to me.” Remember the time he said, “Good thing Mike likes the Mexicali Rose, so if I die at least he’ll take you there.” (…and I will). Sometimes Dad would ask me the most simple questions and I’d ignore them, not thinking they were important. Now I know they are.
Enclosed are some stickers of films that I mentioned and others that I know he enjoyed. Look at them and see if they stir any memories for you.
Always…LOVE,Michael Joe
Something my Dad would’ve asked:
“What did you learn today?” Rudolf Nureyev would ask Tamara Zakrzhevskaya each time they met.-NUREYEV: His Life by Diane Solway
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