What a good time you'll have...

Garren,

Hey son, how are you?  I'm sure you're doing well.  It has to be amazing in Heaven.  I miss you.  I'm sorry I haven't written soon.  Sometimes it feels like time just keeps marching on and I'm caught unprepared.  I never feel like there is enough time in the day.

I went to a funeral yesterday.  But I'm sure you know that already.  It was for a very good friend of mine, my baseball coach when I was a little boy.  He was quite a man, larger than life really.  He was always smiling when I would see him, and full of good advice.  I remember how he used to pour himself into me and some of the other young men at our church.  He always loved and cared about us.  I may be getting into my 30's, but I can remember when I was 7-8 years old and we'd go to baseball practice and he'd be there and it was so much fun being out there with the other boys.  I always looked forward to playing baseball.  He was probably the best coach I've ever had.  Not because he was the best technician of the sport, but because he loved every one of us, and he made us all feel important.  I wanted to play better because I loved being there with him and with the other guys.  As I grew older, he never stopped caring about me and the man I was becoming.  I would do anything I could to help him or his family. 

I'm telling you this because I want you to find him there in Heaven, if he hasn't already found you.  You two can play a little game of catch.  Maybe he can show you how to throw a ball before I get there.  He can show you how to go hunting and fishing too.  But most importantly, you can praise God together.  Hopefully, Heaven helps people have perfect pitch, he might be making a joyful noise, but it may be off key a touch.  But even if he is off key, you two will have a great time.  Just look around you and see all the beauty there is around you.  I can't wait to see it myself.  I'm not sure when I'll get there, but I know that when I do, you two will be waiting there for me.  I can almost hear your voice in my head telling me all about the different things to do there, and how you want me to meet all your wonderful friends.

I miss you Garren, but you have the best coach, mentor, and friend to watch over you till I see you again.  I'm envious of everything you two will find to do around there.  Oh... What a good time you will have!

Anyway, I hope this letter finds you well.  I'd love to hear back from you sometime soon.  Just send your mom and I a line or two and let us know how you're doing.  I'll be talking with you soon.  Until then, just know I carry you in my heart every day, and I'm never far away.

I love you son,

Dad