Editor's Note: The following is a special Father's Day post written by Julianna Czech, widow of our former writer Adam Czech, who died from colon cancer a few years ago.  Adam was loved here for his writing skills, his sense of humor and his always entertaining "Surviving Sundays Without Football" series. In this special  edition of "Surviving Sundays" on Father's Day, Julianna imagines what Adam would say to her and their boys if there was some way he could.

2020 is a year for the history books to be rewritten after. What if (and quite possibly) this year took another twist? Imagine opening up your email to find a letter from a loved one who died over three years ago. What a sweet gift this would be:

Julianna, Edward, and Reggie,

Don’t delete. This is not a scam. As you read on you will see it is really me, your daddy Adam writing to you. I miss you all so much but please don’t worry. I have found peace.

Please know I am always close by at bedtime, how could I be anywhere else? The bedtime prayer your mom created to me and the songs she sings are the best. Has she told you I used to make up words and little dance moves to her favorite songs?  My songs were so memorable, she would forget the lyrics (sometimes that made her a little cranky but my versions were far better). 

Be good little boys and go to sleep at night, then I can come visit in your dreams. It is really me and I love when you remember us playing together. Your mom especially loves to hear about your dreams, share them with her.

Remember this, have fun with each other.  You can’t be the best or win at everything in life. Keep up with your baseball, basketball, football and swimming. Hopefully you both inherit your Uncle Noah’s athletic skill. If not, know I had to work a little harder at sports but still managed to make the teams and do pretty well (in my humble opinion).

Keep on building Legos and using your imagination. You are both very good at creating. No, I don’t send over the prayer requests for more Lego sets. Listen to your mom and Chris, continue to save your money and do chores to help around the house. One day you will have more Lego sets then you could ever imagine 

Edward, you are going to be a big first grader in the fall. One of your best traits is how quickly you make friends. You are a natural leader. I see you organizing games of monster tag on the playground, very cool bud. Your little brother especially is always looking to you. Sometimes being a big brother is a lot of pressure, I was one too. It is also a lot of fun to have a friend for life.

Reggie, what a brave boy you have been this last year. I saw how hard it was on you when Eddie started school. You showed a lot of courage going to a new daycare and preschool by yourself. One of your best traits is your humor, you are a silly boy and nobody can resist laughing at your jokes. Your sense of humor will take you far in life and friends will come easily because of it. Enjoy the last year of preschool and the extra days you get home with your mommy.

To my dearest Julianna, you are living life. You are okay. When you feel you can’t do something, remember how far you have come and the lifetime you have lived in these last four years.

Keep on writing and sharing your words. The world needs your words even when you don’t understand why. I heard you told a new friend last week that your favorite hobbies involve your books and laptop now. It made me proud to know how much of me you absorbed. Now you are the one with your laptop out all day and on your lap at night.

Remember it is okay to be home with the boys and your new career will continue to unfold. There is great value in this time together you won’t get back as they get older. You have been dealt a hard hand and you are slowly working your way into a winning game. Continue writing your dreams down and looking for the clues when I come to you. I am sorry you feel sad after some of our dreams, but look for the signs and clues being sent.

When you three feel peace, I can sense it. The peace and calm came my way when you moved into the new house with Chris this spring. I know this was so hard on your hearts, Trust me, I wasn’t attached to that house and my spirit certainly didn’t stay there. I go where you all go and always will.

To Chris, thank you for keeping your word to me and being there for my family. Of course, there is a genetic gene for teasing you and they took over where I left off. I am beaming every time I hear Edward or Reggie rip on you for liking the Vikings. My boys are already more clever than you and cheer for the right team.

Last but not least, to the Packers. Build a team for the short term that Rodgers can work with and get another ring. And for the love of all things football, invest in linebackers already.

I love and miss you all. I am well, heaven is not too shabby. Beer is cold, the steak is rare.  Ric Flair is on one screen, old Twins highlights on another. Bang on the Drum plays all day long here and nobody gets annoyed with it. Turns out God is a Packers fan after all. The jumbo screens play all the best Packers replays 24/7.

The medium was right Julianna, I am at peace. It was a lot of hard work, but seeing you survive and even starting to thrive with the boys makes heaven all the happier place for me. You will understand it too someday.

Until we meet again, know I am always with you.

Love,
Adam

You can find more of Julianna's writing at the Twin Cities Mom Collective and her own site, AdamsPack.com.