All Together Now

 Oh hi Joe,

I’m sitting in the grand ballroom at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City as I start this letter. Our company is having a big kickoff meeting. I came up with the theme name for it: All Together Now. My team did a really fun look for it and everyone is very excited about it. Right now we’re doing what’s called the run through, where we go through the program and play all the videos and presentations that we made for it. My team, and myself, have been working super long hours and weekends. I don’t like working that much all the time, but when things workout the way they are, it’s gratifying and fun. The best part of my career is seeing people enjoying and interacting with my work.

This morning Jacob spoke in the 15th ward. He does such a great job speaking. He won’t admit it, but I think he’s grown to like speaking. Admittedly, he’s my kid but I told mom that that talk was the best part of my week. I also feel a little guilty for the pride I feel for you boys. You and your mom are the best things in my life. That’s saying something, because I feel that I’ve been blessed with the best family (that includes you guys, my parents and , moms family, my cousins…), so much love, and the gospel and I don’t always understand why. That’s why we have to share the message of Gods love, because I think that for so many people their lives are so much different than that. Some people’s lives are so difficult. And some people just choose not to recognize the beautiful things in life. 

Sorry for that, I had a dad lapse.

I’m not sure if your mother told you her heart news. She’s probably going to need that same surgery she got right after Jake was born. Open heart surgery. She seems to just want to get it done so it may be within a month or two. She keeps asking me how I’m doing with the news, which is the most Heidi Rivera ever. I do tend to react to news like that with a little more fear than she does. Your mother is fearless and tough. You are like her. I remember after her last surgery she was very self conscious about her scar. I always thought it was beautiful because it meant that she was going be healthy for longer for me and you boys. I think that’s how she’s thinking of her upcoming surgery, so I am too. I am optimistic about her surgery, her recovery and everything, but I know it will be painful and uncomfortable. I also know that she’ll be anxious to get back to her active self, which I’ll have to keep her from overdoing it too much too soon. 

Yesterday other than work i went with uncle Temmy to a coin show. He’s getting around fine, especially compared to last time. He knows everyone in the local coin community, which is a bigger deal than I would have guessed. He bought a $600 coin set like I would buy a $30 model kit. He was carrying around a $20 gold piece worth nearly $40,000. It made me nervous but we saw coins there over $350,000. That was one he wanted to buy but he said he doesn’t have aunt Stella’s permission. You have to know kid, that I’m pretty ignorant when it comes to investing and stuff. It all just kinda makes me nervous.

Last night we went to eat with grandma and mom’s siblings. I’m not sure why I mentioned that because nothing really happened. Oh yeah, your cousin Rebecca had a baby. I’m sure that news out a little cheer in your heart.

The Utes beat Oregon today in basketball, the first time in 11 games. I missed the game because I was here. I listened to the game where they beat Oregon State on Thursday. We’re solid at home, not so much on the road. 

I’m sending some pictures of the signs from our event, probably boring for you, but I’m pretty proud of them.

Anyway my boy, i love you and I wonder if anything is changing for you with transfers. I sure love you kid.

Pops