More about 'Dad'

Dear Editor,

This is the third time I've felt compelled to send a letter to the newspaper about an article Mike has written [Mike at Night, "The legacy we leave" (http://www. mccookgazette. com/story/1194110.html)]

I giggle through a lot of his writings because I've known the man for so long--including his warts and all ... and, I wish he would write more personal history stories. They are always revealing. Mike was a good dad.

We laughed a lot. Parents need a sense of humor because if you take children too seriously they can put you in a straight jacket. We managed to keep our heads out of our privates by laughing secretly and openly, but what I want the public to know about Dad, what I consider to be the most curious change in Dad is he has become a constant worrier.

Dad, Michael and William own cell phones because Dad needs to know where they are at all times if they're on the road, at a sporting event, or concert. these "boys" are 28 and 29. He wants to know they are safe, and what their ETA is -- which I had to tell them stood for estimated time of arrival. His worrying came long before Brandon's death, long before cell phones.

It began at high school graduation. Maybe, because he lost his sense of control, and it's not a bad thing ... it's just a mother thing and we've reversed roles. If he can't find one of them he'll call me on my landline (don't do cells), and I can hear the worry hundreds of miles away. So, here's to Dad, and the good times we had with our boys.

The last time I had a good cry was when bodega, William's dog, bit me on the back of the leg. Now the scar looks like a snake bite, and that's what I tell people, including you, honey. It was bodega, I'm sorry.

Linda Hendricks,

via e-mail

EDITOR'S NOTE -- the "Michael Hendricks" who wrote an Open Forum letter about Daylight Saving Time on Monday is the son of Linda Hendricks and Gazette columnist Mike Hendricks. Michael Hendricks lives in Arkansas.