1993

GREETINGS FRIENDS,

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. I delayed writing a letter this year until Christmas spirit came upon me. But, I didn’t get much for Christmas so I ended up writing my typical Scrooge letter.

Bobette came down with melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. They cut out all the cancer but there’s a chance it will recur. We should know for sure in the next two years. It’s hard to figure out exactly how we both feel about this, its like maybe having a killer outside your door waiting for you. But at least there isn’t a lot of pain right now. Meanwhile she took a cruise to Mexico with her mom and her dad got remarried. Our relationship is constantly growing as we communicate almost daily over the phone.

Derrick, our rock solid dependable teenager helps us raise the others, is one of the student leaders in his church youth group, helps me match clothes so I don’t dress like a dork, and is on the honor roll. He drives just like Bobette and of course she hates driving with him. This year he went out for swimming and water polo and has developed muscles. It’s not easy (“Practice was hell dad!, I think I want to quit!”) but he has hung in there. One thing Derrick dislikes about being a teenager is that every time you get a mosquito bite on the face, everyone acccuses you of having a pimple. Being a teenager is harder than it used to be.

Michael, our interesting, witty, compassionate and lucky family character. He enjoys seventh grade immensely. Now if they could just do away with all that bothersome school work and grading stuff. He seems to be majoring in class clowning, daydreaming, and getting dad and the teachers angry with him. He fed his carnivorous fish so many gold fish that it outgrew its aquarium. One night the fish leaped out and I think tried to eat Michael in his sleep. But Michael protected by destiny, was unharmed while the fish died flopping towards Michael’s big toe. A slave to fashion he is having a financial crisis keeping himself in style with his meager clothing allowance. He likes to buy shirts that are so big they look more like night shirts or dresses.

Joseph the practical minded, independent, competent competitor who loves any rough sport. To Joseph even skiing is a contact sport. A full speed collision with a 100 ft pine only slowed him down for about 30 min. Even though he is too young to be a paper boy, he gives better service than Michael. A very determined, he is not hesitant to take matters into his own hands. He wanted us to buy the house across the street, so, every time a realtor brought a perspective buyer to the house, he would get into a screaming battle with Nicole in the middle of the street. We never knew he was doing this. Except for that one conspiracy with Nicole, he could pretty much live without her. Why did we have to mess up the family and have 4 kids? We should have stopped at three and eliminated the little sister. He has a crush on his fourth grade teacher and is working his heart out for her. His grades are good and except for lying, stealing, and peeing on a classmate's book he's the perfect student.

Nicole is the energetic life force that cannot be ignored. A skinny little stick figure with bright eyes, freckled nose, teeth which are always showing in a smile, a huge mop of hair, and a voice, which can cause pain, she is impossible to ignore. She runs everywhere she goes and is always jumping or climbing on something. I’m still her idol, but she is starting to notice some flaws like gray hair, a bald spot, and not picking up my shoes “I know you can do better than that dad!” I’m very proud of my little girl. She’s afraid of nothing, takes on Joseph routinely, likes hockey and wrestling, and can climb the wall better than Spider Man. She’s not one of those sissy little girls who plays with dolls all day. After 30 min. of shopping for dolls she said “Mom if I see one more doll I’m going to throw-up”. That’s my girl, give her a hockey stick for her birthday and she’ll be happy.

I was recently selected for promotion to Captain and expect to pin it on in July. Work is great, I almost feel guilty for having so much fun. We are all dreading this next assignment season. Bobette is tired of moving and wants me to look for a job where I can make more money and she can get off this restrictive budget. I guess maybe it’s time to decide what I want to be when I grow up.
THE SCHEIDS, 1993