Treasures from a paperback time capsule planted nearly a decade ago

This evening, in the cellar, I came across a book I was reading almost eight years ago, and I found four pieces of paper buried inside the pages - no doubt for safe-keeping, and eventual archival and documentation (as is happening now) rather than merely for use as bookmarks.  All slips of paper were from one of those courtesy pads left for hotel guests - in this case from the Spring Hill Suites Mariott Hotel in Milford, Connecticut.  They were all dated from the last week of August in 2008, and two had works of art, entirely in ink, undertaken by Daniel - completely abstract renderings, probably since he was only two and a half years old at the time (both from August 24).

The third was a stirring ultimatum issued by Ian, the context of which I can't remember, but it still strikes sobriety in me even now, even without remembering what exactly was going on:  "Dad, if you don't help me, I'm not going to take you chocolate-hunting."  (August 28)

And the fourth piece of paper had a bit of early political dialog between Ian and me, no doubt influenced in part by the upcoming presidential election (McCain vs. Obama), of which he was rather aware even at the tender age of nearly six (August 30):

Ian:  I guess I really can't pick a president.

Dad:  Why not?

Ian:  Because I don't have the energy to do it.  I don't know what's good.  I need someone else to do it for me.

Ironically, when election time came around about two months later, our wonderfully hokey little New Hampshire town set up a makeshift "voting booth" for kids in a corner of the high school gym where the polls were held, no doubt to make them feel included, and Ian and Daniel both voted - Ian for McCain because he liked Sarah Palin ("She looks like a Mommy,"), and Daniel for "Rakabama." Even more ironically, the whole McCain/Obama matter aside, I have no doubt that Ian had more wisdom at age six than some significant portion of the electorate that was available to do the voting on his behalf, not to mention now, at age 12...

(August, 2008)