My Dad Disappeared When I Was A Kid. Years Later, I Got A Letter That Changed Both Our Lives.

"His letters gave me what I'd been missing during the first 14 years of my life. Every typewritten page, every piece of personal stationery with his left-handed scrawl, managed to fill another gaping hole in my heart with something like love. When I began writing for my high school newspaper and sent him my clippings, my dad, an aspiring writer with a deep wish for a published work of his own, was over the moon with praise."

"When I was 16, he wrote: "I enjoyed your articles and I think you show great promise." At 17, a note from him arrived that read, "Another excellent piece! You have found your calling. I am impressed." When I was not quite 18, he wrote to me and shared that the fun of writing had left him. He explained he was trying to remember the simple joy of getting words down on the page."

"At 19, he bought me my first car, a used 1981 Honda Prelude. He laid out the agreement in another letter: "If you are going to drink, you may not drive under any circumstances. Wearing the Dad hat is still awkward and I am falling all over myself, please try and understand. I love you and respect you, all I want to know is how we can continue to improve our relationship." Every letter ended the same: Much love, Dad."

Letters from the father provided emotional validation and affection that the narrator had lacked during the first 14 years of life. The father praised early journalism clippings, called the narrator a writer, and encouraged suggestions on craft while admitting his own struggle to regain writing joy. Financial support from the father enabled college attendance and the narrator became the first in the family to earn a degree. At nineteen he bought a first car and set responsible conditions, expressing love and a desire to improve the relationship. The car supported school, work, and journalism studies.

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