Dear Daughter - Another Home! - Spring 2010

Dear Daughter,

Your mom already found a new home for us to live in. That was quick. The folks selling the property are in distress and it's obvious that they are unable to upkeep the home due to their age. They seem to be nice people. The owner was a pilot and has a picture of himself taken with Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, or the former Shah of Iran. That's one for your history lesson to look up.

The home is not in South Orange County like your mother promised. She made it clear we would not be buying there, after promising me that is where she would look. She used some pretty scary explicative when she told me that, if you can believe it. That's a real reversal from her initial promise. I'm still concerned about buying anything in this housing market.

We put the apartment up for rent since the housing market crash has lowered the value of the property dramatically, making it difficult to sell. When we went to get the loan for this new house, she told the agent that we had no plans on living in the old apartment, and that it was just a stepping stone to somewhere else. I was amazed to hear that. I remember clearly stating to your mom that this is the place where I would die. Daddy has been feeling like a nomad, moving so often and he and just wants a place to settle once and for all. Moving and renovations are hard and stressful. The lawsuit against the folks that assaulted us at the old apartment is underway.

I'm getting a bit upset with her lately because of her inability to keep her promises, and I find that I'm needing more space away from her at times. Of course she fights me on that. I am a social person and I need to be with family and friends more often. I need to blow off some steam on occasion with them. Your mom doesn't like that and tends to badmouth my friends and family. It seems like your mom only wants to go to functions with her own family, but when my family asks, she typically says no. I hear a lot of negative statements about them from her, and I see a rift between me and my family members starting to widen. Maybe she will ease up on them. eventually.

She promises that renovations will only take 3 months. Your grandpa suggested that perhaps we should slow down on the renovations, as they tend to test the strength of a relationship. I agree with him. Your mom won't hear any it. She just wants to go full steam ahead. At least there is a pool and a jacuzzi in the back yard where daddy can relax. Remember what daddy said about compromising. It's important in a relationship. I love your mom, and if this is what she wants, then I will support her. Of course I get upset when she breaks her promises with me, but that is what compromises are for.

She even mentioned that she wants to have a baby. Wow! Well, this is where you come in soon, and I'm so happy that you will. This will be the home that we first bring you to. How exciting but scary too! Bringing a baby into the mess we have right now without giving ourselves some break to heal our wounds is something we have to both discuss and agree upon.

Love,
Your Dad