Letters From Tim

Okay..I am totally hooked! This book is a slam-dunk for me.

I was in Chicago this past weekend. While my friend, Molly and I, were perusing through all of the funky books at Urban Outfitters I came across what surely will be one of my all-time-favorite books…Listography.

I have often regretted not keeping a journal. I have made several failed attempts throughout my life. I suppose that is why I am thrilled to have the outlet this blog provides. It has become our family journal during this deployment. Anyway, I think journals are one of the best things you can leave behind…better than china, savings bonds, or jewelery. Because journals contain your most important moments and deepest thoughts that can never be forgotten.

I am all about lists. I love lists. Without lists I would be lost. In fact, I am not even sure my brain fully functions without lists.

On March 13, 1997, I took lists to a whole new height. I started My Life Accomplishments List and My Top 50 Lifetime Goals List. I figured this might be a first step in actually creating a journal, yet another sad attempt.

I review both lists several times a year. My Life Accomplishments List is up to 227. It contains items that are both monumental and trivial, such as:
- Danced the Tango in San Marco square in Venice, Italy.
- Killed two deer heading North on I-65 while driving a U-Haul.
- Saw a double rainbow with a full arc along the MidBay Bridge in Destin, Florida with my dad.
- Felt the water of the Agean and Mediterranean seas.
- Had a keger (several).
- Served Michael Jordan a beer while working as The Beer Cart Girl on a golf course.
- Was baptized as a family at Zionsville United Methodist Church.
- Won the Hinsdale Easter Bonnet Contest in second grade.
- Peed in a McDonald’s cup while traveling in a car (my impatient grandmother made me do it).
- Went to a New York City drag club called Charlie Chan’s.
- Gave the graduation speech in high school.
- Made shrinky-dink ornaments for Christmas.
- Sang in the Lyric Opera of Chicago for four seasons in the Children’s Chorus.
- Saw Bald Eagles in the Canadian wilderness.
- Started a successful photography company with my brother.
- Received a call from Emilio Estevez in Las Vegas while he was gambling with Tim.
- Cut down a Christmas Tree.
- Wrote a poem.
- Had drinks at the Rainbow Room in the Rockefeller Center in New York City.
- Saw Julia Roberts filming My Best Friend’s Wedding in Chicago.
- Rented a convertible and drove down the Pacific Coast Highway alone.

So when I saw Listography, it was as if the book was made for me. I knew several people would be just as excited as I was to find it. I brought it home for Stacy and we spent several latenight hours filling it out. Some of my favorite lists are:
- List things most people probably don’t know about you
- List the people you love the most
- List your favorite toys you played with as a child
- List your biggest sins
- List your guilty pleasures
- List the way you have changed since your teens
- List the things people should remember you for
- List your biggest acts of kindness
- List people you wouldn’t mind having sex with
- List your personal fashion trends over the years
- List the bands you have seen live
- List famous people you have encountered
- List your bad habits
- List the best days of your life

I guess it should come to me as no surprise that one of Briggs’ favorite pastimes is to create journals. Maybe he will actually continue the habit of writing in his. Wouldn’t that be such a great gift to himself in the future…the ability to take a glimpse back at his childhood?

…
Special thanks to…Matt Zimpfer for checking out my failing sump pump. Joel and Mark from Home Zone that actually got the sump pump replaced within a few hours. Nate for getting us to Chicago in one piece during a heavy snowfall. Stacy for staying behind with the twins. I was so relieved to know they were in your care. Betsy and Andy for taking the boys on a great adventure for the weekend. They had a blast and love you guys. Molly and Jeni for being unwavering and inspirational friends. It is hard to believe we have known each other for as long as we have and that our friendships continue to flourish. I was particularly impressed with Jeni’s entrance into the high-tech era. Matt Soraci for a great (yet quick) conversation. Beth Olsen for taking the Gager to the Children’s Museum. Tiffany Dunbar for including Gage in a playdate with his best buddy, Preston. My stepfather, Bill, for helping Briggs with a school assignment. My mom for the nice visit this evening. Allison for being brave enough to share her unfortunate news.