Leaps in the Wind

Kearney, Nebraska – 27 September 2008

My dear grandson Leaps in the Wind,

I know you’re pleased to be called by the Indian name your parents chose, rather than that all-too-common name of Daniel by which you were baptized. I apologize that, over the past few months, I have been unable to keep up the regular correspondence we’ve established since you’ve been serving at the military base in Baden-Baden, Germany. But between closing the store, inventorying the stock, cancelling incoming goods, and handling the bank, lawyer, taxes and the stack of papers it takes to get a pension, believe me: I haven’t had a moment of free time.
All this will finally be finished tomorrow, which means I can go to the post office and leisurely wait in line so I can send you this last letter from Kearney. As I wrote previously, I’m going back to Atkinson, in the northern part of Holt County. I couldn’t live anywhere else but Nebraska. I know everything here, and even if Atkinson is just a handful of houses, with just one store/post office/café, I was born and raised here, and this is where we lived until I dragged you all to Kearney, where I bought the sporting goods store.
…

Grandpa, but were we really that stupid? Grandpa, but were we not only stupid but really bad?  Grandpa, but in addition to being stupid and bad were we really that cowardly?

…
I can’t wait to see you. Let me know when you’re coming: Sioux Falls isn’t exactly around the corner.
A big hug,