“Tuesday’s With Tim” is reporting LIVE on location this week in his home state of Wisconsin!  It has been a while since the last time I was off island, so the first thing I did was get my Venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks and a cheeseburger with no mustard from McDonalds!  I am curious, if you lived on Nantucket, a place without any popular franchises, what would you miss the most?

I am here in Wisconsin for a very special occasion.  My best friends welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world and his baptism was this past Sunday!  I was honored when they asked me to be his godfather a couple months ago. So, everybody, I would like you to meet my godson:

PARKER DAVID CULLEN

What in the world do godparents give for baptism gifts? You know how some people have phobias of being in crowds or of spiders, I have two very specific phobias.  1 – Will I get good pictures of the event? (My husband used to say that I only went places for the pictures!) and 2 -Can I come up with a creative gift idea?

I racked my brain what to get Parker for his baptism and I was stumped!  After searching the internet, I realized that I would have to come up with my own idea because all the traditional gifts were not quite what I was looking to do.  I decided to write Parker a letter. In the letter, I give him some advice as he grows up!  I would like to share it with you all, just in case you have been at a loss for a baptism gift for your godson or goddaughter.

Dear Parker,

I was truly honored when your parents asked me to your godfather.  I met your mom 12 years ago in college and we have been friends ever since.  I watched your mom marry your dad 3 years ago and now, here I am today at your baptism. My gifts to you on this special day have a lot of meaning for me and I hope someday they mean something to you.  Ever since I was young, I loved to read and maybe someday you will too.  So, here are some of my favorite books that I have read through out my life.

Dear Zoo and Dr. Seuss’s ABC – These were my favorite books when I was a baby.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – This was one of the first books I read all by myself and I still love it.  It taught me to dream, but that there was no place like home.  Harry Potter – Even though I read this in college, I hope someday you enjoy Harry Potter and his adventures as much as I did.  Pillars of the Earth – This is one of my favorite books as an adult.  I thought it was appropriate today because its all about building a church!

You may not know this, but one of my favorite things about your Dad is that he likes to write letters.  Your Dad is a great writer and maybe someday, you will like to write too…  So, here are some crayons to scribble with, here are some markers you can use when you first learn to write your name, here are some pencils to take to your first day of school, and lastly, here is a special pen with your initials on it. Maybe, when you are all grown up, you can write me a letter with it, just like your Dad!

The third thing I want you to try and do as you grow up is to always plan for your future. Here is a piggy bank to save your quarters when you help your Mom and Dad out around the house.  Here is a wallet to put your cash in when you get your first job, and here is a savings bond to use for college.  Saving money is important, but also treat yourself every once in awhile.  I put some quarters in your piggy bank for some candy and I put some cash in your wallet to maybe use on your first date.

Lastly, I give you this cross to put in your room as a symbol for many things.  First, as a symbol of today and your baptism.  Also, I hope this cross reminds you to always love and respect others, no matter their differences, to never judge anyone for those differences and to always be yourself!

I can’t wait to watch you grow up Parker.  I will always be here for you if you need anything and I hope every time you pick up one of these books, or color with your crayons or count your quarters or look at the cross in your room, you know how much you are loved..

Love Always,

Uncle Tim

If Parker could talk he would probably say “Dude with the bowtie! – What do you expect me to do with any of these gifts?” I am only three months old and I still soil myself 10 times a day!”  What I liked about this gift idea though was that it represents Parker’s whole life.

For Parker as a baby:

For Parker as a teenager:

For Parker as an adult:

Welcome to the world Parker! I am already so proud of you!

See you next Tuesday! :)