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Setting Camp on the Banks of the River Styx
Copyright 2010 by Tim Block
To: DL Family
From: Tim
Re: Setting Camp on the Banks of the River Styx
Peering over shoulders from 300 miles away, everything looks small and wee, insignificant, the details are there but easily overlooked. I see everything is as it should be though. Mom is being carefully looked after by those who are able, and I see those able brothers and sisters following their hearts and praying their decisions are wise.
We’ve all been to this place before. Dad brought us first to the campsite along the River Styx, and we stayed there a long time. We got a little gritty near the end and then he died and left us. At the end of the day though, Tresa’s dad didn’t die, or Richard’s or Toodie’s, or mine. OUR dad died. He was our dad.
At any rate, we are her family and we are setting up camp near where we were before, and we will be here a long time. There will be some bickering while we’re here but I don’t think it should define us; that’s not who we are. We’re dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Life.
But as far as OUR mom goes I just happen to know that when Dan or Curt, or Richard or Tresa, or Pat or Toodie makes a decision in her regard, that decision will be made with a good heart.
By the way, when I bring my family to the River, I’ll look for a campsite near a high spot. We’ll have a picnic, and I’ll play catch with the boys while the sun goes down. I will put them to bed in their tent, and kiss them again for the last time. I will go to Leslie and we will say goodbye somehow. I will put my trunks on, take a deep breath, and dive in. I’ll dog paddle myself across that River.
When I’ve made it across, I will go no further until my gang is with me again.
I love you all.
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Thank you for downloading and reading this short story. It was a letter I never sent; probably should have done that. My wife found it amongst some of my old things and thought I should do something with it. Thought it was inspirational Maybe turn it into a short story? Well. Life goes on.