Dear Roddy,
Hello. It's me. Your brother, Robert. That's right. You probably thought I was dead by now, or worse. Although Lord knows I've gone longer without staying in contact, although I really shouldn't.
I missed you terribly. I know, I know, if I missed you that much, I should have wrote to you. Things have been incredibly busy right now, although they've started to slow down a little. Don't worry, I'm not in trouble this time. I promise.
I moved again. That shouldn't shock you. But Germany is long behind me and, if I may say so, good riddance. I'm now living about three miles outside of Rhy'din city; it's the bustling little capital city of a place I can pretty much guarantee you've never heard of. It's a lovely place, and I've made some very amazing friends here. I just wish people would stop blowing up the marketplace. Sure know how to pick 'em, don't I? At least I'm outside of city limits now.
I have a house, Roddy. It's small, it's blue, it has no electricity, but it's mine. And I'm growing a garden. And paying off a small mortgage every month. And looking into replacing the roof. Don't hold your breath, Roddy, but I just might have started to set down roots for once in my life.
You met my dog, Max, I'm fairly sure. At the very least, I'm quite sure you've heard about him a thousand times through my letters. Well, now I've got chickens to keep him company. Eddie will be pleased. I've only got five so far, but the coop I built--yes, built--has plenty of room for expansion when one of them finally goes broody. Their names are Myra, Angeline, Teapot, Bartleby, and Jenny. They are the most amazing colors, too. I wish I could send you a picture.
I clean houses for a living now. Yes, I know what you're thinking. I don't even consider myself a doctor anymore. That was all in my past. And right now, I clean houses. And maybe I will for years to come. I don't know. My friend Renfield keeps offering me a storefront, but I have no idea what I'd ever do with it. Can you even imagine me running a store, Roddy? Of all the strange things, eh? Anyway, I work in partnership with a friend of mine, Holly Short. We've just been awarded a cleaning contract for a newly-opened bank--things are actually going pretty well for us right now.
I have some wonderful people in my life right now. I'll tell you about them some other time; this letter's already getting a little on the long side. For me, at least. And yes, that is a promise to write more soon.
But before I go, I have something important to tell you. I don't know why I waited for the last to do so, but there it is.
I'm Bipolar. Which is a fancy word here for saying Manic-Depressive. More depressive than manic in my case, as I'm sure you were probably aware. I was diagnosed this January, at the beginning of a month-long related hospital stay. (Please don't tell Ma that last part, Roddy, Albert, because I know you're reading this. At least not yet. I'll figure out something soon, I promise.) Long story short, I'm on medication, now. Lithium, to be exact. I'm also seeing a psychotherapist bi-weekly. I have no idea if this will shock you or suddenly click into place and make a tremendous amount of sense. I'm still not sure what to think for myself. Perhaps, in part, this is what prompted my sudden settling down. I don't know. We'll see whether it lasts, anyway. I definitely feel calmer. And happier, generally, although I hit a nasty little depression a few weeks ago. Don't worry, I'm fine now. One thing I'm learning is that these things pass.
I love you very, very much. I promise I'll write again before a year goes by this time. I don't know if you'll be able to get a letter through back to me, but I look forward to seeing it. How's your life been? How's the rest of the family? I miss them so much.
Your brother,
Robert
Hello. It's me. Your brother, Robert. That's right. You probably thought I was dead by now, or worse. Although Lord knows I've gone longer without staying in contact, although I really shouldn't.
I missed you terribly. I know, I know, if I missed you that much, I should have wrote to you. Things have been incredibly busy right now, although they've started to slow down a little. Don't worry, I'm not in trouble this time. I promise.
I moved again. That shouldn't shock you. But Germany is long behind me and, if I may say so, good riddance. I'm now living about three miles outside of Rhy'din city; it's the bustling little capital city of a place I can pretty much guarantee you've never heard of. It's a lovely place, and I've made some very amazing friends here. I just wish people would stop blowing up the marketplace. Sure know how to pick 'em, don't I? At least I'm outside of city limits now.
I have a house, Roddy. It's small, it's blue, it has no electricity, but it's mine. And I'm growing a garden. And paying off a small mortgage every month. And looking into replacing the roof. Don't hold your breath, Roddy, but I just might have started to set down roots for once in my life.
You met my dog, Max, I'm fairly sure. At the very least, I'm quite sure you've heard about him a thousand times through my letters. Well, now I've got chickens to keep him company. Eddie will be pleased. I've only got five so far, but the coop I built--yes, built--has plenty of room for expansion when one of them finally goes broody. Their names are Myra, Angeline, Teapot, Bartleby, and Jenny. They are the most amazing colors, too. I wish I could send you a picture.
I clean houses for a living now. Yes, I know what you're thinking. I don't even consider myself a doctor anymore. That was all in my past. And right now, I clean houses. And maybe I will for years to come. I don't know. My friend Renfield keeps offering me a storefront, but I have no idea what I'd ever do with it. Can you even imagine me running a store, Roddy? Of all the strange things, eh? Anyway, I work in partnership with a friend of mine, Holly Short. We've just been awarded a cleaning contract for a newly-opened bank--things are actually going pretty well for us right now.
I have some wonderful people in my life right now. I'll tell you about them some other time; this letter's already getting a little on the long side. For me, at least. And yes, that is a promise to write more soon.
But before I go, I have something important to tell you. I don't know why I waited for the last to do so, but there it is.
I'm Bipolar. Which is a fancy word here for saying Manic-Depressive. More depressive than manic in my case, as I'm sure you were probably aware. I was diagnosed this January, at the beginning of a month-long related hospital stay. (Please don't tell Ma that last part, Roddy, Albert, because I know you're reading this. At least not yet. I'll figure out something soon, I promise.) Long story short, I'm on medication, now. Lithium, to be exact. I'm also seeing a psychotherapist bi-weekly. I have no idea if this will shock you or suddenly click into place and make a tremendous amount of sense. I'm still not sure what to think for myself. Perhaps, in part, this is what prompted my sudden settling down. I don't know. We'll see whether it lasts, anyway. I definitely feel calmer. And happier, generally, although I hit a nasty little depression a few weeks ago. Don't worry, I'm fine now. One thing I'm learning is that these things pass.
I love you very, very much. I promise I'll write again before a year goes by this time. I don't know if you'll be able to get a letter through back to me, but I look forward to seeing it. How's your life been? How's the rest of the family? I miss them so much.
Your brother,
Robert