This one's for you buddy.

Robbie,

As I write this, it's 7/11/10 and you're eight years old trying to get

me to join you in the bathwater temperature pool. It's unfortunate

this is the kind of time I take to start making notes, because these

are the times I get lost with you, and you are the only thing on my

mind. There's another list of stuff like this somewhere, your mother

might kknow, it might

be in your baby box. It's just a list of stuff I want you to hold on

to, not to forget because if I am lucky enough to see you grow into

the man I have in my mind, I'll be one of those annoying grandfather

types reminding your

kids about stuff like this.

Remember:

1) Frozen Freddies - 325 Washington Street Quincy

2) Tony's Clam Box on Quincy Shore Drive - you were a fan of the fries

and the ice cream but I couldn't get you to try a clam or an onion

ring.

3) Don's Joke Shop on Hancock Street in Quincy

4) New England Comics on Hancock Street, a few doors down from New

England Comics.

5) Pizza slices at Schoolhouse Pizza - Owner was former Eagle Scout

who liked to compare notes on Pinewood Derby Tips

6) whole pizzas at Alumni Cafe, where they'd sometimes turn on

Penguins of Madagascar for us if there were no sports games going on.

In addition, at ag 8, you'd discovered Blink 182 and the Foo Fighters.

You liked listening to Drunken Lullabyes when I played it in the car.

I hope you remember these because these were things we shared. Places

we laughed. Places we spent time. Places we loved going together.

Places I loved showing off to you. Places I loved showing you off to

other people.

There will be more to follow. I know it. Since you're only eight.