The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,

Lots of things remind me of you. But here’s an odd one. If you watch the news at all, you know there was a high-profile murder in New York City several days ago. Police caught the killer in a city called Altoona, Pennsylvania.

BION, we’ve been there — you and me. You were very young and I don’t expect you to remember.

You and your sister and mother and I all visited upstate New York a long time ago. We stayed at a lake house in the mountains. Do you remember that? Then we drove to Syracuse to meet friends of mine. Then we drove to Niagara Falls. We crossed into Canada. In fact, THIS is one of my favorite photos from the trip.

After Niagara Falls, we headed back to Lynchburg, stopping in Altoona for dinner. We ate an Olive Garden. It’s funny the things you remember.

Nearby, there was a Chuck E. Cheese. Your mother and I tried to occupy your sister’s attention when we were walking in the parking lot so she wouldn’t notice. If she had seen it, she probably would have nagged us to go there instead.

Anyway, that’s my Altoona story. It’s not much, but you and I had so little time together. These dumb little memories are all I have.

Your mother and I used to pick Olive Gardens when we traveled because 1) it’s kid-friendly and 2) we knew the menu and we knew there would be some food that you and your sister would recognize and enjoy.

Hey, there’s an Olive Garden in Abu Dhabi. Anytime you want to meet there for dinner, let me know. I’ll arrange it. I’ll listen to anything you have to say. There’s also one in Mexico City. It’s closer to you, just four hours away. I’ll be happy to meet you there, too.

Dad