Here it is, folks. Another chapter. Sorry it takes me so long between posts, I get busy with school and exams. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this piece.
Nov. 4, 1999
My Abby,
Of course I read your mom's mail. And if you write "don't tell Dad" I just get more curious. I'm glad you're enjoying USC. I know it's hard, but I also know you can handle it.
Don't be ashamed of your name, Abigail Ann Brackett. Don't ever be ashamed. I am extremely proud to be your father, and I hope you're at least a little proud to be my daughter. I know my name carries a good deal of weight among SoCal medical personnel, and yours will too. However, I want your name to hold importance of its own accord. You're going to make a wonderful doctor, Abby Ann. I'm sure of that.
I can't wait to see you, baby girl. Your school break can't come soon enough. Thanksgiving will be fun. Johnny's coming, and all four DeSotos. Jenny is already home from Wellesley and Chris is getting in a couple of days before you do. Your mother has some elaborate plan for the food involving all four of you women taking over our kitchen for several hours. I don't understand any of it but I think it'll be good.
I'll see you soon, Abby.
Love,
Daddy
Nov. 4, 1999
Dear Andy,
Only a few days until you come home! Your dad and I can't wait to see you. Of course, I'm very glad you're enjoying Cal Poly. I'm just being a mother and missing my kids. Anyway, civil engineering sounds interesting. One can find good work in the architectural field.
Thanksgiving is almost here. We're all going to spend the day together, us, Johnny, and the DeSotos. Jenny got back yesterday and Chris comes home two days before Abby. Johnny can't wait to see all you kids. I think he misses you just as much as we do.
I know you have exams coming up, like Abby. study hard, do well, then come home and relax. I can't wait to see you and hear all about your first semester.
Love,
Mama
Nov.8, 1999
Dear Daddy,
Of course I'm not ashamed of my name. How could I be? My dad is the great Kel Brackett, doctor extraordinaire. Your expertise is known all over. Mom's, too. I will admit that having your reputation hanging over me is a bit frustrating at times. I'm pre-med, Daddy! I want to be a doctor, I really do. It's as much my dream as it was yours. So many people, though, think I'm using my last name and yours and Mom's notability to make my way. Or they think you're forcing me and that I'm not very interested or capable at all.
That's not it, Dad. I want to be a doctor. Watching you and Mom work during junior high and high school pushed me in that direction, I suppose. But going pre-med was my decision.
I love you, Daddy. I love you and Mom and the medical field. I'm going to be a good doctor, you'll see. I'll make you both proud.
Love,
Your Abby
Nov. 9, 1999
Dear Andy,
How's engineering going? I think civil engineering sounds like a good choice for you. I've heard, though, that it can be pretty hard to switch your major. Is it? Course I'm sure you'll figure it out.
Your mother is going a little overboard with the whole Thanksgiving dinner deal. She and Joanne have huge plans that involve enlisting Abby and Jen to help them prepare everything. According to the two of them, the kitchen will be off-limits to us guys for most of Thanksgiving Day.
I can't wait to see you, Andy. You'll be home for a good long time. As much as Mom and I would love to hang out with the two of you all the time until you return to school, we're going to have to be working quite a bit. I think over the two months that you two are home I have 15 days off and your mom has 13. I guess Abby will be hanging around the hospital while we're working. Do you know if any of your friends will be home from school? Anyhow, Chris will be home and I know Johnny is really excited to see all of you. He'll be off more than we will.
For Christmas, by the way, both sets of your grandparents are coming. Mom's parents are spending a week and mine 5 days.
See you soon, Andy.
Love,
Daddy
