Happy Birthday

Dear Dad,

Happy birthday! Today I happen to have the day off. I think they gave it to me because they knew it was your birthday.

Well, turns out Auntie Cindy likes to paint. She likes art in general actually. Her and I have been talking and I told her I don't like it that Mom's side of the family doesn't keep in touch with each other. So, she said she was in Barcelona doing an art course for the month of November, and that I could tag along if I had time. So I went and visited her. This is outside a church. It's a very old church that's taken hundreds of years to build. They're still not finished it yet! Kind of reminded me of how long it took when you renovated the Fairmont. It's a nice church, but its bathrooms weren't as nice as the ones you did.

We talked a bit about you, and also Mom when you were married. When I talked about you to her, I never even blinked an eye. I wasn't really talking about you, just someone that Mom used to know. I wasn't actually talking about the real Daryl, because she doesn't know who you are and what you mean to so many people. She pretends, like the rest of Mom's sisters. She doesn't have one fucking clue. Pardon my language.

And then, I went to Phuket. That's in Thailand. You don't say it like "Fuckit" you say it like "PooKet". It's not a swear word, Daryl! And I sat there on the beach looking out at the water. Thinking of things you said, like there is no right or wrong. And, there's nothing better than getting old.

But guess what? I'm 30 now. Can you believe it? I can't. I don't want to. Now I'll join the old people in church who sit in the front because they can't hear the preacher. What if I have to wear dentures next, and hearing aids? Diapers!?!?

And, I'm in business class and first class now, too! I've been there almost 6 months now. I talk to all the rich arabian Sheikh's and Sheikha's. Not that they understand, because they don't speak much english. And they can't really see me from behind their black veils. So they'll eat or drink pretty much anything I put in front of them because I don't think they can see it anyway. I like being in the front.

And I also went to Paris, where I thought about that boy Matthew Blackburn, remember him? That guy I dated when he lived in Calgary. Mental, he was. And then I visited him when he moved here to Paris. That wasn't very pleasant. Or romantic. I think he still lives here now. You know he blocked me on facebook?! Loser. I walked down Champs Elysees, it's this street that everyone goes to in Paris. And at one end of it is the Arc de Triomph. I bet you could build a better one for Artweek.

I'm organizing a trip to New York in July, so I can see everybody. Of course not all will go, but the ones who can will love it. I think it will be fun, and I'll be cooking. Yeah I know, sure like to see that eh. Hope everyone likes grilled cheese sandwiches.

Well, I'll be calling Andrea soon to see how she's doing. Pretty much the same as everyone else. I don't think it's right that you're gone. Even though you said there is no right or wrong, there is in this case. I'm still in denial. I don't believe it.

Ok, gonna go do some things now.

Happy Birthday Dad,

Love you,

Bailey Sue