Super Bowl 2024

Oh hi Joe!

It’s in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl right now, it’s 16-13 for San Francisco but Kansas City is about to score. It been a defensive game, not too exciting. I’ve been distracted because once again Ben took off. He’s really separated himself from the family, and it worries me. I’m not sure what’s going on with him, mom and I wonder if it’s something we did, Jake thinks it’s because of Avril, I wonder if he has a difficult school schedule or even if he is missing you. I don’t know. I just miss him, I’m worried about him.

Sorry to start off low, but I love all of you boys, I worry about all of you boys, I always want this family to be close. I believe in families can be together forever, I don’t want us to be separated here on earth. Honestly, I’m probably overstating as I reflect back on the week, but if one of you is hurting, mom and I are too.

Anyway, back to the game, it’s tied at 16 with just over two minutes. 49ers are driving.

This week was more productive at home. I got the projector cabinet done Monday, it looks and functions just as I hoped. It took a couple of nights to get everything wired up and adjusted. Another night to get the curtains on the ends of the screen hung. I bought another cabinet because I thought I’d put my turntable in the movie room instead of the game room. I haven’t decided if I’ll hook it up to my red speakers or to the movie speakers. It will get me something to experiment with.

I guess the big news is mom’s visit with the surgeon. Her need for surgery was confirmed. She won’t die or anything if she waits, but aside from the valve, her heart is really healthy, so getting surgery now will help it remain healthy for a long time. 

KC just tied the game with three seconds left, looks like another OT for us.

I asked the surgeon if she might need to do this again in another 21 years, he said that with the valve he will use to replace hers the tissue that grows in her shouldn’t come back. And if the valve needs to be replaced after 10 or 15 years, which is likely with all new valves, they could do it without surgery. There’s also a chance that she’ll need a pacemaker, dude, your parents are OLD. 

Thursday night we went to that Arizona triple overtime game. The Utes looked flat for the first half, but then looked great after that. I was tired after that. Ben left at halftime without telling us. I miss him these days.

Saturday we were going to go on a Jeep ride, but the weather had been awful and the group was threatening to cancel and I wasn’t anxious to clean 300 pounds of mud off the Toyota so I chickened out. Mom had a talk in the morning at the stake and I started cleaning your brothers bathroom, I had to clean the drain on Ben’s side… ick. Then mom had been roped into hosting a baby shower for one of your girl cousins, so Ben and I bailed. I was glad he came with me. We went to lunch at a place called Groves Market in Salt Lake City. It’s an old market that hasn’t changed at all since the 40s. They have gigantic sandwiches. I order half a tuna and almost finished. Ben ordered a whole pastrami and salami on a bun the size of a little league football. He ate all of it, it was impressive. After, I made the poor kid run a bunch of lame errands with me.

When we got home there were still people here, seems like there are always people here. So Ben went to get gas and avoid people. I went to the bathroom then stayed in my bedroom also to avoid people. Jacob had been with Avril in town and he wanted to meet at the Utes game, so I drove up and met. Ben declined to come. The Utes were flat, he didn’t miss anything.

KC just scored a touchdown to beat SF with three seconds left for the win. I’m glad football is over truth-be-told.

I think Ben went on a mini road trip, he’s on his way home.

Today mom was called as a Ward missionary, I’m excited about that. Oh, and after four years, I finally got the door on the boys bathroom cabinet back on. I always do what I say I’m going to do, eventually.

Well kid, I love you. I’m glad you are where you are even though I know that you’ve always been such an important peacemaker in our family and we’re still adjusting to life without you.

Pops