Publisher's Notebook: Thankful for a letter from my grandson to his mother and stepfather

Last week I was able to spend time in Colorado as part of my duties as Group Publisher for Wick Communications. There’s a side benefit for me because two of our children still live there. Our son Matt lives in our hometown of Delta and our daughter Victoria lives in the Denver area.

I thought the subject for this column of thankfulness would be the birth our new granddaughter Harper Marie Depew born on Nov 9 to Victoria and Travis Depew. The joy of holding her and knowing she is healthy is hard to put into words. But Harper’s brother Joey wrote a letter to both Victoria and Travis that stopped me in my tracks and quite honestly broke me down to tears.

Landon and Joey, Victoria’s two sons were fathered by James Fulcher. Victoria met James while attending Colorado State University. All seemed well early on but addiction began to drive decisions for James. Victoria had to make the very difficult decision to put her two boys first and foremost. She began the trek as a single mother a road that can be very tough to navigate.

While James continued to fight his demons, a few years back Victoria met and fell in love with Travis Depew. Travis has stepped into the role of father for Landon and Joey. He has done a fantastic job and loves the boys as if they were his own.

On July 12, 2017, James passed away from an asthma attack. It was a shocking event for all of us. He had recently returned from rehab and began to reconcile his place with the boys. The boys love their father no matter his flaws. Joey absolutely adored him. He was angry at him for choosing his addiction over him but at the same time loved him unconditionally.

I worried most about Joey after his father died because he did hold tight to the hope that some day James would turn his life around and become the father, he wanted him to be. Landon was always more realistic and though he loved his dad being the oldest, only by 11 months, he could see his mother’s struggles and his memory of the tougher times were probably clearer.

Victoria and Travis have built a life for them and the boys. Both have very good jobs and together they have purchased a home. The home has been remodeled and stability has come to Landon and Joey’s young lives. Still I worried for the boys. That is until Joey created a card of thankfulness, as an assignment in his fifth grade class, for both Victoria and Travis. It has moved all of us to tears when we read it. Joey first read it to Travis and Victoria in what his mother described as an incredible moment for her.

Joey has given me permission to publish it in the Frontiersman.

Dear Mom and Travis,

Mom I want to thank you for buying me a phone and giving me a bed and giving me a roof to sleep under. Travis, I want to thank you for taking care of the family, buying food and the tough love.

Mom you’ve always been there for me but this is the time I needed you most. When I broke my collarbone you cried for me. I didn’t pick this memory to humiliate you. I picked it because it shows you really love me. Watching the tears run down your face and listening to your words of comfort made me feel relief. That’s the thing I love most about you, you’re always there for me. Travis this is one of my favorite memories with you and I hope you think so.

Mom I couldn’t say the same for you. It was the night after my Dad died. Me and you talked and I don’t remember what it was about but it made me feel less lonely because you could do the best you can do to fill my Dad’s shoes.

I love both of you guys as much as I can. I know you guys do too.

Joey

This Thanksgiving holiday I have so much to be thankful for, family, friends, co-workers and opportunities. The list is long.

I am most thankful for a letter that has brought me relief. The opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of Victoria, Travis and their family. Landon and Joey are in a good place and though there is pain there is love. Love that is recognized and beautifully articulated by a young man who has dealt with more than most his age.