Matthew's Nineth Year

January 18, 2010

Dear Matthew,

          The year, 2009, has been quite eventful, both for you and us. The year started off innocently. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas/New Year's celebration. We all received gifts, but you were the one who came out the best. You received Savings Bonds, money, clothes, and toys. We only stayed for the day.

          February ws the month that would prove painful for all of us. You were still in second grade and this would be the year that you would make your First Holy Communion and Confirmation in May. On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, you and Dad were involved in a car accident on the way to get newspapers to deliver. The car, our 2001 Chevy Cavalier, was totaled. You and Dad were supposed to deliver papers, go to G.I.F.T. class, then go to Cub Scouts. Now, we had to fined a way to get another car. I had to borrow money from your grandparents to get one. Dad had to rent a car from Enterprise to try to save the paper route.

          On Wednesday February 25, 2009, we purchased a 2007 Chevy Cobalt from Martin Chevrolet. The car is cobalt blue, 4 door, and has a gray, cloth interior. It is a used car and had 31,460 miles on it. Dad, unfortunately, lost the paper routes dues to the vindictiveness of his then boss. A few days later, he was granted a route back by his boss's boss. We received $5500 for the total.

          March and April encased Easter. We again went to your grandparents to celebrate my birthday. Aunt Donna set up an Easter Egg Hunt for you with plastic eggs filled with candy and surprises. We finalized the arrangements for the Confirmation and First Communion. I was really disappointed that we couldn't give you a party. I had one when I made my Communion, and wanted to have a family reunion and have you meet your second and third cousins. We showed them the car, which is GM Certified and under the warranty until August 16, 2010.

          In May, you would be making your Confirmation{May 9, 2009}and your First Holy Communion{May 31, 2009}. Uncle Dave was your sponsor for your Confirmation. He and Aunt Donna came to St. Mary's Cathedral for the service. We met them there and after they left to return home. We went to Bennigan's for dinner. On May 31, 2009, your grandparents came for the service at our church for your First Communion. There was also another thing that happened at that service. You worked toward the "Light of Christ" badge from Cub Scouts. It was presented to you by Fr. Jim. I was proud of you. We all went to Applebee's for dinner.

          Mrs. Tracy Kuhn was your teacher for second grade. Your best buddies were: Gabe Sanchez, Vinnie Gonzales, and Dominic Villireal. I had wriitten a letter to your principal, Mrs. Sandra Gelko, to request that you could have Mrs. Dawn Quinn for third grade. When they had "Meet the Teachers", you found out that Mrs. Quinn would be your teacher. You had her at Arrowwood and really liked her.

          The school year was rapidly coming to a close. You were promoted to the third grade. There were some of your classmates who were not. The summer beckoned, and with it, Bantum baseball, camping, and going to the park for concerts, and going to the lake house.

          The end of June dawned the annual camping trip. You and Dad packed the car full of gear, food, and other types of paraphernalia and Shadow. I would miss allo of yu, but I welcomed two weeks of peace, solitude, and time to write. We did arrange for you all to come pick me up for one day to visit you at the campsite. When I got there, I noticed that there were a lot of campers and not many tents. The day went by fast. It was Sunday June 28,2009. When we returned back to the apartment, Dad took the bikes so the two of you could go for rides. Later that night, you called me on the cell phone and were so excited. You finally were able to ride without training wheels. All I thought of was now we would be in for a whole new set of problems. You have finally found a new form of independence.

          Upon returning from the camping trip, you and Dad began delivering phone books for A T & T. We made trips back to the park on the weekends and I landed a volunteer job there working at the Gift Shop. The summer was flying by at the pace of a Lear jet. In August, we made our annual lake trip. Before we knew it, another school year would be upon you again.

          September 8, 2009 was the beginning of your third grade year. Unbeknown-st to you, it would be a day of surprises-some of which were not what you expected. We all thought that Mrs. Dawn Quinn would be your teacher. Over the summer, she decided to teach kindergarten. Your teacher would be Mrs. Arica Klopf. You had your friends there. Even though the work was harder, you seemed to excel at it. Your first report card showed that you were off the charts in reading. The highest you were able to obtain was 28. You scored a 31. In plain English, even though you were in third grade, you are reading at a sixth grade level. You excelled in Math, and liked Science. You did well on your Spelling tests.

          One thing I forgot to talk about was the fact that newspapers around the country were cutting their circulation to three days a week. During the summer it did not pose a problem. However, once school resumes, it became one. Instead of delivering during the day, the papers would be delivered at 12:40 am on Thursday, and Friday mornings. Saturday mornings, you and Dad would deliver weeklys. Sunday mornings would have delivery time at 1:40 am. To make matters worse, the place to pick up the papers would be Valley Publishing in Bay City rather than the Saginaw News in Saginaw. This would put more miles on the car. I didn't like that.

          Halloween was a holiday you always liked. You dressed as a Hound Dog and went to Aunt Laurie's for your annual trick or treat walk. You came home with enough candy to open your own store. Where's Elvis and Willy Wonka.? I wondered if you would be able to eat all the candy before Christmas began.

          On Friday November 6, 2009, Dad got into another car accident. This time Bambi was involved. He was delivering papers and the deer took a flying leap over the car. The front end on the driver's side was bashed in. It had to be reported and Dad took it in to Martin's for repairs. They loaned us a car and the repair lasted two weeks. The rent a car was a Kia Serrato. That car was too high for me to get into. Therefore, I was relegated to the apartment until repairs were completed. We got the car back just before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was quiet and we ate, watched movies and played games.

          December came in like a lamb. We didn't get snow for quite a while. The one thing that always bugged me about your school were the Professional Development days. I know when I was in elementary school, We didn't have those. I feel that these cut into your education and the days needed to meet the required days. Christmas shopping for you was somewhat hectic this year. You wanted several things. Most of them were way out of my budget. I passed those on to your grandparents. You didm however, get some nice things from me and your father. The gifts your received from Toys For Tots. Two of these were toys that you weren't interested in. You ended up donating them to other kids. You received Scrabble Slam, Momopoly Deal, candy, clothes, an activity book, a magic set, Hot Wheel cars, and socks. We had another quiet holiday.

          Matthew, you've blossomed into a very tall, smart, inquisitive strong willed, stubborn young man. You are willing to help me, and I love you for that. You do have a tendency to talk back, be disrespectful, and be sassy. I wish I could squelch those traits. Keep up the good work you have been doing. I love you.

Love,
Mom