Who: Michael Flannery, 43, of Westwood, WCPO-TV “9 On Your Kid's Side” reporter, Cincinnati Magazine columnist, comedian and winner of 16 regional Emmy awards.

        On display: A letter his father, Robert E. Flannery, sent to him after he won his first Emmy award in 1991.

Michael Flannery holds the letter that his father wrote to him. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Where: In the family room of the home he shares with wife Stacy; daughter Grace, 3 1/2; son Noah, 2 1/2; and a yellow, tiger-striped cat named Pogo.

        A dream come true: Mr. Flannery's first Emmy was for his performance on a children's show on WXIX (Channel 19) called Club Nineteen.

        “I sent the statue to my parents,” he says, “because they paid for the college degree at XU. Plus, they tolerated me doing standup comedy on the road for 10 years. It is still sitting on their television set.”

        Loving words: “The letter is in my father's handwriting,” he adds. “It tells me how proud they were of me and how I had done what I wanted to do and didn't listen to all of the people who said I couldn't do it.”

        Leap of faith: “What made the award extra-special is it was actually an Emmy for comedy,” Mr. Flannery continues. (His later awards are mostly for news reporting.)

        “When I quit my job and went on the road to do standup comedy, I found out later that they really didn't think it was a good idea, but never said so. One of my dad's friends from work once said to me, "I remember the day you started doing comedy.' He recalled that Dad had his head in his hands, saying, "You are not going to believe what he's doing now.' But I never knew that.”

        Love letter: The three-page letter is dated April 29, 1991, and is addressed to Mike and “Emmy.” One of the lines says, “Mom and I are so very proud of you and the way you lead your life that we can hardly contain ourselves.”

        It is signed, “We love you and are very proud of your new girlfriend — Mom & Dad.”

        Permanent record: The letter became even more special when Mr. Flannery's father died in 1995. (His mother, Patricia, now lives in Boise, Idaho.)

        “My dad is gone now,” he reflects, “but this is something that I can hold onto. I read it time and time again.”

        What's really important: “If there was a fire and my family was out safe,” he says, “if I was going back for something, it would be this letter. It wouldn't be the statues. This is what really counts.”

        “My dad was a great man,” Mr. Flannery says, looking at a photo of the two of them. “I still have people coming up to me in the street asking, "Are you Bob Flannery's son?” And I am always proud to say, “Yes I am.' ”

        Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Enquirer, Tempo, Prize Possessions, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202: e-mail marsolete@aol.com.

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