Dear Callen,
I’m very proud of the way that you have adopted to changes recently. When we started you on anti-anxiety medicine a few months ago you didn’t like having to swallow a pill every night. Now you often have to remind me that you still needed your medicine and swallow it down without hesitation. Today we added in a new drug to try to help with some behavioral issues. It’s a larger pill, but you managed to take it no problem and no complaints. We still need to figure out the correct dose, but I’m hoping that this will help with some of the issues you are having at school. You’re an incredibly bright kid, but your inability to focus and follow directions is impacting your educational success. I know that you are trying your best, most days, so this is just another tool to help you.
Today is going to be a fun day. We’ve developed a sort of tradition on Saturdays when the Utah Jazz has a home game. We go into the city and spend a few hours at the planetarium, your favorite place, then we grab dinner and go to the game. When we first moved to Utah I became a season ticket holder of the Jazz. We go to dozens of games a year together, but now that you’re in school it’s harder during the week. Also, you can tire easily and get affected by the loud noises in the arena. Often we need to leave around half-time, which isn’t my preferred option depending on the game. With these Saturday games and some noise-canceling headphones, you never complain and look forward to our outings. Yesterday when I told you we were going you got excited and said: “we do my fun thing then we do your fun thing.” I love seeing this type of attitude from you, as more often than not you are focused only on what interests you. While I love spending time with you and doing the things you love, the fact that you can realize that sometimes we should do things that make other people happy makes me very proud.
Being adaptable to change is a very important skill, and it’s something that a lot of people struggle with. As is empathy and doing things to make others happy. The fact that you have these traits now shows just how special of a person you are.
Love,
Daddy