Milo Rose blog entry: http://betweenthebars.org/blogs/5296/

MICHAEL, JR.

Do you remember the song: Daddy What If? By Bobby Bare... Son, I am responsible for planting a lot of seeds in you. I always hoped when you matured you would remember and realise who planted the seeds that helped form your character. Since it was not accident many would say you were like me. What I am most thankful for is that more of the good seeds blossomed. (PTSD - is not just a military issue) Mike, I knew I had a problem and did my best to seek a solution. Since what I dreaded was to pass on my amoral traits to you and your sister. When I cam to the realisation I wasn't able to heal myself, nor control the events already in motion. I struggled as I made selfless decisions as I distanced myself from you and Rosie, to work out how to re-enter your lives a better man. I hoped to use my natural assets to open new doors. I felt that was my best plan of action. Only my character flaws were too deep-seated and continued to drag me down. I wish things were easier to explain. I have always had a good heart, and loved you and Rosie very much. I always intended the best for both of you, and in an ideal world things would have turned out differently. I had to try to change myself and my environment for the better, before I felt it safe to bring you and Rosie back into my life. I was in the process of doing that when my past caught up with me and made me an easy patsy for a corrupt legal system. Which only served to widen the divide between us. As I sit here trying to simplify things, I feel you should know I am a profound man. A man who spent a LOT of time with you as a small child planting seeds I knew would give you a good mind. I also felt I had instilled in you an unbreakable bond of love. I did not plan for, nor am I responsible for the prolonged separation between us. I have many regrets and having your mother move you to Florida, is one. I cannot change the past. What I can do is share with you something that should be the most important part of us - our love! Which somehow got lost along our separate journeys. I pray this song we shared, will awaken the most important seed that had been sitting dormant waiting on the catalyst to reopen our good memories. I LOVE YOU! You hear me Mikie?

Your DAD,

Milo Rose

MILO ROSE BLOG ENTRY
MICHAEL, JR.