You had a blast on Halloween 2026. You marched around the neighborhood, learning to say “Trick or Treat” to solicit candy and remembering to say “Thank you” as you saw it drop into your bag. And how Ironic it was to see you dressed up as Woody, the cowboy from the movie Toy Story. Your new favorite show was released in November 1995, 31 years ago. Your Mom and Dad were about your age when it came out, and the movie stands the test of time. It explores themes of friendship, jealousy, teamwork, and love.
It has always been one of my favorite movies, partly because it has one of the greatest movie theme songs of all time, Randy Newman’s, You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too, maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you, boy
And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die.
Actually, I’m not really your friend. I’m your grandpa. But you don’t need to know that yet. I’m content to be your friend, your playmate, and your buddy. We play in the sandbox together (actually, you play while I sit in my garden chair with an adult beverage). We visit the playground across the street together. And you sit on my lap in the recliner while we watch our favorite TV shows—Toy Story and Cars for you and Ratatouille for me.
Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am, bigger and stronger too. But none of them will ever love you the way I do.
You really do have a friend in me and it really is a friendship that will never die.