Pearl and Carrie are going to writing camp this summer, and Carrie's class did a Father's Day project. Since she doesn't have a dad, this could be tricky or awkward, but she is fortunate to have two wonderful teachers. They know that there are all kinds of families and that Carrie has two moms, also known as Mama and Baba. And so the teachers invited Carrie--all the kids, really--to write about a guy, whether it's a dad, grandparent, cousin, or family friend.
In the past Carrie (age 5) has always chosen to make cards for Pop and Papa, her grandfathers, but this year the lucky winner is... Uncle Russell. Since the girls were infants, Russell has been vying for favorite uncle status. He would whisper in their little ears:
Who's your favorite uncle?
Uncle Russell!
Uncle Russell!
Pearl, Carrie, and Russell have their very own WWF wrestling program, which Carrie mentions in her poem. They have special fighting monikers. It's always Pearl and Carrie versus Russell the Muscle. It's pretend wrestling, of course. Unfortunately, the line about Uncle Russell living in Costa Rica is pretend too (if only!). Carrie's poem and portrait appear below. Happy Father's Day, Russell. We love you!
awesome! everything...carrie, uncle russell, the 2 teachers, wrestling...awesome! :D
Posted by: Susansonnenmuses.wordpress.com | 18 June 2011 at 01:03 PM
Hi Carrie---
Thank you for the amazing Dad's Day card! I love the portrait, and if it is of me, then you got the big ears just right and the colors are spot on.
I do not, however, wear a necklace or any jewelry or any body art, for that matter, and I hope that as you continue to emulate me and look towards me for guidance in your teen years, that you will remember that I have no tattoos or piercings. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but your mothers have paid me a lively sum to take a position here.
If all this seems "goofy" and just typical "Russell the Muscle" obfuscation, then you know that this is the REAL Uncle Russell and not some dim-witted imposter.
Baba has a lot to explain to you about this thank-you note, and she may have to look up some words and ideas in a dictionary or an ENCYCLOPEDIA, but she will do a good job if it I am sure. But the main thing is that I love you and thank you for making this awesome card for me!
Uncle "The Muscle" Russell
Costa Rica, TX
Posted by: Russell | 18 June 2011 at 05:22 PM
I just re-examined the portrait of me and have concluded with certainty that I'm not sure it's of me. Seems like a tube top there. In which case I retract anything that I may have said that may appear as or in fact be a non sequitur.
Baba has even more explaining to do now but at least it's on her and not me since I'll be going out to dinner now.
Posted by: Russell | 18 June 2011 at 05:31 PM
Oh my! what can I say about our offspring(s) . . . (off-chutes?)
All I know is both Carrie and her Uncle Russell are awesome indeed . . .
LOVE!!!
Posted by: Martha Chamberlain | 19 June 2011 at 11:29 PM
Well, Russell, as you know, you're prose guy and I'm a poet. For Carrie's purposes, I summarized your messages this way: Dear Carrie, Thanks for the great Dad's day card. The picture is spot-on. I love you very much.
Posted by: Robin Reagler | 20 June 2011 at 11:53 AM