A year that has molded my future

Coming off a hiatus of who knows how long, I decided to write another column. I’m sorry, subscribers, I knew you thought I was done but I had some things on my mind. I was sitting at my desk… or the desk I work at… not sure I can call it my desk when Debbie, Vicki and Daniel use it on occasion. Anyway, Kurtis was going through some of the older papers for the Looking Back part of our paper and I noticed a column titled “Dear Dad” by my dad, Brett. I had some time on my hands so I decided to read it. It was the Dec. 20, 1989 edition, about a year after Robert, who we now refer to as Mr. Crompton, was born and I wasn’t even a twinkle in my parents’ eyes. My grandfather’s birthday was Christmas day. When I was young I thought that would be the best day to have a birthday, double the amount of presents on one day, but obviously it’s the exact opposite. I never met my grandpa but I have a feeling I’ve met him through my late grandma, Erma, my aunts and uncles and of course my dad. Without me knowing, I’m sure they all have a sprinkle or two of Bob in them.

Throughout the column my dad is asking and hoping that his dad, my grandpa, is proud of him and happy with how everything is turning out. He also thanks him for raising him in a town that is perfect to raise a family. I couldn’t agree more. With everyone now knowing this, I would like to take some time and some space on this page to thank everyone that has come before me. (Mom, if you don’t already have a tissue or two nearby, I suggest you grab some before you read any further.)

Dear Grandpa and Grandma Tam,

Thank you for raising such a wonderful woman that I can call my Mom. I can tell by how she turned out, it has a lot to do with how you raised her. I hope one day I can marry someone as funny, smart, hardworking and loving as her.

Love, Preston

Dear Grandpa and Grandma Crompton,

It has been just over three years since you’ve passed away, grandma. I want you to know I miss you now just as much as I missed you when you passed. I’m also extremely happy you can be with your husband. Thank you grandpa for marrying grandma and starting such a wonderful and loving family. Thank you for risking everything to move to American Falls, Idaho, to start the family business. I know you’re proud of my dad and I hope I can keep the business going as well as you guys have.

Love, Preston

Dear Mom,

Thank you for giving me everything I could ever need. Thank you for caring for me and raising me to be a respectable young man that I hope you can brag about. Thank you for staying strong in keeping me on the strait and narrow. Thank you for teaching me how to be a gentleman and friend. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. Thank you for holding us together during this year of ups and downs. I don’t know how you managed to keep Mr. Crompton and I from turning into complete wrecks.

Love, your favorite, Preston

Dear Dad,

Regarding your letter you wrote to your dad 25 years ago, I think it’s safe to say he is proud of you. It takes a lot of strength to be able to pick right up where he left off so seamlessly. I want to be able to do the same thing one day, but not on the same circumstances. I don’t know if you remember but April 26, the day before your aneursym, you wrote something on the whiteboard next to the kitchen. It said something close to “Today’s Goal: Make the world a better place for everyone you meet!” I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you’ve accomplished that. The nurses you never really got the chance to meet, the doctors that did surgery on you, every one of them would have smiles on their face whenever they saw you because they knew how caring and funny you were. Thank you for staying with us and gracing us with more of your time. The battle you fought is one that not many can come home to share. So this Christmas, I don’t need any gifts from you. Having you sit in your recliner while we pass out presents is good enough for me.

Love, your favorite, Preston

Dear Marc, Miles, Mr. Crompton, and Adriana,

I’m running out of room so you’ll have to forgive me for combining this one. Thank you for being there for me whenever I needed you. I can’t describe how big a part you all have played in my life. Miles, thank you for giving me endless entertainment. The world needs more Miles. Marc, it seems like yesterday you were turning around with a look of shock on your face to see me. I’m glad our friendship bloomed into something so important in my life. Mr. Crompton, I think I show you enough love during the day with all the wedgies and knuckle sandwiches I give you but just in case that isn’t enough, thank you for being the best brother I could ask for. You didn’t always give me what I wanted, but you always gave me what I needed.

Lastly, Adriana, I struggle sometimes figuring out how a guy like me could be lucky and blessed enough to have you in my life. I hope you noticed my use of anyway and not anyways at the beginning. I know you don’t like PDA (Public Displays of Affection) but you’re too beautiful to be ignored. Thank you for all the good times we have had and the ones to come. You make life easier.

Love, Preston

Thanks for reading! Read more in this week's print edition.Subscribe Today!