Dear Artie,

Though you don’t have it in hand yet, I expect that you’ll soon have your driver’s permit. You passed the online test, and we have an appointment at the DMV today after school to do that in-person tasks like presenting documents to prove your residency and identity and to take the eye test. It’s good you’re finally getting that done. It works better in our family’s schedule for you to take the driver’s ed session that starts May 1, and you can’t register for that without a permit. The last time I checked, there were still a few seats available in that session, but it’s filling up. It would also be good to have driven a handful of times before the class starts, so your first time behind the wheel isn’t with a judgmental teacher in the passenger seat.

I have no idea if the teacher will actually be judgmental. In fact, one of the reasons we’re going with the driver’s ed outfit we are is that one of the teachers if your former elementary school P.E. teacher, who is a nice guy. I just have some residual stress from my own driver’s ed experience, when the teacher used one of those clicker things people use to train dogs to point out my driving errors. Hopefully your teacher will use techniques designed for humans.

We’ve had some wild fluctuations in weather lately, including a tornado warning, a brief power outage, and some very warm days. It’s been nice having extra outside time, including our first cocktail hour on the balcony of the season. We’re expecting a downshift in temperatures next week, which will hopefully hold allergens at bay a little. You’re the member of the family who suffers least from seasonal allergies, so it’s not too big an issue for you, but it affects everybody’s lifestyle when others (especially Callum) are miserable.

You and Callum continue to have a special bond. You have similar dispositions and enjoy a lot of the same things, like video games and Scratch programming. I love watching you two work together on a programming project. Last weekend, you designed a board game and played it with him. Skitter has remarked many times that you’d be a good teacher, because you’re so patient and generous with Callum. I agree, though you’d probably have to move to another state to have a career that’s more fulfilling than frustrating. I really feel for Iowa teachers right now. They’re being forced into such awful positions in terms of enforcing state laws about LGBTQ+ issues, book banning, and other tantrums coming from the state government and a few whiny parents. I would not choose to be an Iowa teacher at this time in history.

This weekend marks your first jazz band concert. The music department holds an annual event called Jazz Showcase, and they work hard to turn the school cafeteria into more of a jazz club setting. Last year, before you were a participant, we attended, and it was so cool. It was one of the main reasons I really wanted you to try out for jazz band this year. I’ve sat through so many school band concerts, and even the ones at City that are clearly played by talented musicians can get a little boring. The Jazz Showcase is a lot livelier, and I’m excited to watch and listen to you and your bandmates perform. You had to miss your last concert due to having COVID, so this will be your first show in a while. I hope your band concert clothes still fit. Your dad noted recently that he thinks you’re taller than he is now. You have a doctor’s appointment coming up where you’ll get officially measured, so I’ll be interested to see the hard data, but from my perspective it looks like you’ve surpassed your dad. You’ve both surpassed me a long time ago, so it’s difficult to get a good read from down below, but it sure seems like you’re way up there.

The school year is now in its final trimester. You seem to be having a good experience so far. Your dad and I are hoping that you can get a little more actively involved in things next year, though. Right now your only outside activity is jazz band, and you spend a lot of time in front of a screen in your room. You were planning to work on crews for the school musical, but you either never got the message about where to go and what to do, or you didn’t do the necessary work to find out. That’s disappointing, because I know you’d have a good time being involved in a theater production. We’re going to attend the musical next weekend, and maybe that will motivate you to be more proactive next time around.

You have some activities planned for the summer, including driver’s ed, our family vacation, band camp, and Filmscene camp. Relaxation is a fine thing, but I also want you to stay engaged and excited about the world. We live in a community that offers thousands of interesting things to do, and it’s a shame not to take advantage. Plus, with your siblings so busy with sports, it’s nice to have arts activities to attend sometimes. I’m counting on you to give me something to cheer for besides baseball, basketball, and soccer. Of course I don’t mind cheering at those events, but a little variety is good too.

Your current favorites: pasta with homemade tomato sauce, the show Lost, hanging out in your room, Goldfish crackers, Honey Nut Cheerios (or the store-brand equivalent), French language and culture (including cinema), Doritos, sleeping late, and quoting The Simpsons. Your memory is better than mine, so I don’t always catch on, but it’s very satisfying when I can join in on a Simpsons reference with you at the dinner table. “Yes, Lisa. One magical animal.”

I hope the spring and summer bring you renewed energy and enthusiasm for the world. I can’t wait to see you jazzing it up on the stage this weekend. You have a lot of creativity and brightness to offer.

Love,

Mom