A letter to my Father

6/06/11
Dad
Hello. How are you?
I have received an invitation to your 80th birthday party. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend due to the simple fact of being in Western Australia on the 10th of July.
I will be on retreat in a Buddhist monastery until the 12th. Then I catch a midnight flight home, typically they're shunting me through Sydney.
I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome in February. Aspergers is a form of Autism. Basically my brain was wired differently in the first couple of weeks after conception. I have serious difficulties reading social cues and it could well be a reason why I've needed to have my own name. It hasn't been a rejection of you, it has simply been me needing an identity that felt right for me...and that is a very Aspergers thing to do. 
I am finally studying at University. Mark may have told you that I am studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Languages at Monash University. Indonesian is my major (the major area of study), though I am thinking of adding either German or Greek as a minor. I remember you encouraging me to pursue Japanese and become an interpreter. Well these days I'm slightly deaf due to machinery use over the years, so I'll most likely become a translator of Indonesian.  Monash Uni has the largest Arts faculty in Australia and I am very much looking forward to exploring everything from Indonesian studies through to philosophy to possibly a semester in Ancient Greek Drama.
I have both a new wife and a son. Ariel is just over a year old and I must admit that I love being a father. Selina and I intend to start trying for hopefully a sister next year. I'm also glad that I didn't have children with Seesee, my now most decidedly ex-wife. I wasn't ready for them and she wasn't the person to have them with.
Selina is both a lot younger than I am and the light of my life. I am deeply happily married. I am also the fittest and happiest that I have ever been.
I had some nasty kidney stones last year and they caused a major rethink in regards to both health and lifestyle. These days I'm vegetarian and exercise as often as I can. Having a gorgeous young wife also helps in regards to motivating me to pursuing a healthy, active life.
I have no news of Christopher and nor do I particularly want any.
I will end with this. I know this may not have been the most welcome intrusion into your life. I did, however want to try one last time at having some sort of a relationship with you.
Russell