Dear Pop,

I’m glad to hear that everything is good in Brooklyn. I’m doing well too and can’t complain. The weather has been amazing, but it is California so I’m sure you’re not surprised. Our family always loved music, and I think your agreement with Alvera is fair. Both artists are great, but I am a little biased towards Freddie Mercury. Bohemian Rhapsody is a musical masterpiece. Well, being in IT has its rewards and I remember when I prayed that I would pass my certification exams. Oscar Wilde was right when he said that when the Gods want to punish us, they answer our prayers. I’m so thrilled with the shoes you recommended that I bought another pair but in a different color. Thank you for the small gifts you’ve given me. I will be sure to pass them along to others. Go easy on Mom, plus it’s a miracle that I was able to teach her how to use the instant messenger app on her phone. She’s now advanced to sending emojis in her messages. I’ve created a monster.

I wish Aunt Constance the best, at 94 she’s seen so much in life. Pop, can you just imagine living for nine decades? She’s seen more than twelve presidents serve in office. That is incredible. But she has memories of when times were far rougher, and people did not have the things they do today. I get why she’s always been so humble. I see you and mom have your comic relief routine down pat. Funny part is I’m sure she had no problem eating chicken yet again. I believe she will grow feathers one day. 

I do remember Ron and miss him too. I can still hear his laugh and how he could sit for hours and talk with anyone. It’s rare to meet people like him today. The Grand National is a beautiful car and one of GM’s finest engineering moments. I fell in love with it when I first saw it and always wondered what happened to it. You said you had no information about that, but I hope it found a good owner. It would be a shame for that car to go to waste. 

Politics is never an easy question Pop. True, I do live in a “Blue State” but let us not forget that there was a Republican Governor less than twelve years ago. We need both sides to every discussion, so we make decisions that are well thought out. I’ve never felt good about one party majority rule. The extremism is dangerous and the rhetoric I see online is disturbing. It seems as if we have forgotten how to have an actual debate. The cancel culture and urge to threaten those with a different opinion speaks volumes about decency or the lack thereof. I worry about the nation and the direction we’re taking. But everyone must vote. When I traveled through South America, I learned a lot about democracy and what we have taken for granted. There are countries in which voting is mandatory, there are no excuses. The irony I see is that people fail to use the right to vote here, which did not always exist. People had to fight for that right and to see people not exercise that right is unsettling. Some of us don’t realize how good it is in America. Are things perfect? Not at all, but there are far worse places to be. You had predicted that Latin America would go through momentous change. Well, Brazil just had a presidential election that has shocked everyone. The future remains to be seen. 

I just finished reading ‘Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazy Germany’. Pop, the book is incredible and such an unlikely story. Before I bought it, I didn’t know that there were Black people in Germany during the war. The story is moving, and words cannot describe the true horror of the Third Reich. Hitler was out of his mind and had to be stopped. I watched that Twilight Zone episode and it’s good. I want you to watch another called ‘The Changing of the Guard’. Let me know what you think. 

That’s an interesting fact about dogs which I did not know. It is true that we learn something new every day. Before I forget, I sent you something from Lefty’s, I think you’ll love it. I have a sign on my wall that says, “I might be left-handed but I’m always right”. Tough words that I’ll have to live up to now. Here’s something I learned recently that you’ll like. Pop, did you know that to this day, we still use the alternating current design by Nikola Tesla? If he had the right support and funding, who knows what else he would have created. 

I’m planning a visit to Los Angeles soon. It’ll be a weekend trip I think since it’s only about 6 hours away. The City of Angels is always interesting, and I’ve been anxious to see how it is today. I’ll stop by Hollywood Blvd., and I know Pop, they don’t call it Tinsel Town for nothing. I’ll be sure to get some photos. Are you and mom going away anytime soon? 

Give everyone my love, 

Junior