Deer Daddy,

Thiƨ iƨ Jaƨon. Im ƨuppoƨed to wriit thiƨ leter becuƨ the teecher wantƨ me to tak to my reel daddy. Im 4 and I like video games. They are niƨe.

I hav a big bruthr named Ethan and a little bruther named Nicky and they are very niƨ. I alƨo like dinoƨurs.

Do you like them?

Writing timeƨ over.

I love you.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jason,

Your spelling's almost as bad as mine was, at your age. I say almost because all of myletterswere backwards, not just the s's. You're adorable and the fact that you're trying so hard makes me proud. Sure, you're a bit behind and you've got trouble in reading, but hell, numbers come to you like cheerleaders to a football player, so you're set for life, little man.

Yes, I love dinosaurs. You got that from me. Your mom would rather die, I'm sure. I know Ethan and Nicky's a new arrival, I'm guessing. I know how much having a baby around sucks, so I get it.

Write me another, maybe?

Love,

Dad

Deer Daddy,

Im writing yu a card fr Fatherƨ day. Were ƨuppoƨd to ƨay we lov our dadƨ. ƨo I love you and miƨƨ you een tho I dont know you. Mama ƨayƨ yur nice and things and liked dinoƨorƨ too.

Can you come home? Ethan ƨtayed home today becauƨ he miƨƨed yu. If you comed back then Ethan and Mama will be happy agin.

I think yu like that to.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jason,

You don't know how much I wish I could be there.

You and ET are growing up so fast and I wish I could have seen it all. You're both a lot like your mom- smart, strong and just a little bit strange, but in the best way possible. I wish I could have protected you like every other dad, but Dicky's doing a good job of that in my place.

I would come home if I could, little man. If I could, I would have been there from the minute you were born. I'm so sorry I left you and I'll claw my way back, even if it takes freezing hell to do it.

Only the best for my boys, right?

Thanks for the Father's Day card. Got a little wet on my tombstone though. Oh well. Glitter's still intact and that's all that matters.

Keep your nose clean.

Love,

Dad

Dear Daddy.

Im learnin to write bettr now becaƨe the teecher ƨayƨ I have to get bettr to go to furst grade with my friendƨ. I dont have friendƨ but Mama wantƨ me to be ƨmart lik Ethan ƨo i gotta bring my a game.

I cant reed thogh and Mamaƨgettin worried. Theyre ƨaying Im ƨtupid.

Do you think that?

I hope you dont.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jay,

Son, it happens to everyone. Everybody's got that one thing they're not the best at and it sucks, but you've got to work hard to make it better.

Hell, I couldn't even put my shirt on the right way around until I was eight, so you've got a head start on me. I get how it's hard, though. I had trouble with that too. Just tell them how thelettersmake funny shapes for you and they'll know exactly what to do.

Did you know that I was best friends with your Aunt Cass before I really met your mom? I don't know why I'm telling you a whole other story, but your mother was the most confusing person in the entire world when I first met her. All big words and extended metafors or however you even spell that. A lot like ET.

But hey, us normal guys have got to figure it out at some point.

I know I did- that's how I got the three of you.

It'll all work out properly, Jay. You've just gotta put your mind to it.

Love,

Dad

Dear Dad,

The tutrƨ helpin me with the writing andd reading. Am I making the letter better now? That rimed and rimingƨ funny.

Nicky iƨ getting big now and iƨ rolling on the flor. Mama ƨayƨ thatƨ how babiƨ learn how to walk like big kidƨ. Ethan ƨaid I waƨ good at that.

I like ƨchool now that i can know what theyre talkin about. Were ƨtudyin animalƨ and the teacher ƨaid i can tak about dinoƨaurs.

My claƨ iƨ havin a bring yur fatherƨ to school day. Can you come?

Mama and Ethan and me miƨ you lotƨ.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jay,

Of course I'll come! You'll have a way better story than the rest of the class- kids don't often have a dad who played sports for a job, yeah? Your mom hated it, but she dealt with it just fine until I got sick. After that, I didn't do much of anything.

Don't make a big deal out of the fact that I'm dead, though. If you want to talk about me, talk about me, but your Uncle Dick will come with you if you want him to. That might be easier.

I'm happy that things are working out much better now and I'm really proud of you for being the big man and trying to do better. It's a good thing about us Merrick men. We never give up.

You're turning out to be the little hero I always thought you'd be, Jay, and I'm so proud. I wish I could be there.

Love,

Dad

Dear Daddy,

Look! I'm better at thiƨ! Mama'ƨ tryin tohelp me with the ƨquigly letterƨ, but I'm doin g way better!

I beat Ethan in bral and he'ƨ ƨtill mad at me ƨo he won't play with me anymore. I'm going to let him win next time! Mama ƨayƨ I ƨhoud.

I taked about you lotƨ and the claƨƨ likd it a lot! The teacher ƨaid ƨhe went to school with you and that waƨcool.

Were you like me when you wer little?

I wanna kno.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jay,

I was pretty much the entire opposite. Seriously, I ate worms and paper and correction fluid and everything I could get my hands on. Probably explains why I'm crazy, yeah?

Beating ET's an achievement, kid. Should be way proud of yourself, cause that takes a lot of work. He's not mad, don't worry. He's just like your Aunt Cass- he hates losing and won't let you go until he gets his revenge. Although his revenge is way less dangerous than hers.

You just keep swimming, okay? I'm proud of you and I know you're gonna do great things with your life.

I'm always here when you need me.

Love,

Dad

Dear Daddy,

Im gonna keep writing you letters but the head doctr ƨayƨ I ƨhoud learn to write better firƨt. I'll write another one ƨoon ƨo keep waiting and ƨtuff.

I miƨƨ you and ƨo doeƨ Mama and Ethan.

Love,

Jay

Dear Jay,

Can't wait for the next one. Love you so much and I'm so proud of you.

Love,

Dad