The Big 40

On Sunday, Tracy turned 40.

Miscellaneous gifts. (non sexual, not a scooter either... sorry)
Christmas dinner. (in June)
Everyone here. (even our adopted kids)
One three foot candle (pictured above)

Tracy, I owe you more on this.
And everything else.
But for now, I'll just say I love you.

I'll miss you while I'm gone.

Sunday

Breakfast in bed.
Jambalaya for dinner.
Pineapple Upside-down Cake for dessert.
A new electric bass.
Everyone home.
Movies and music.
Mandatory appreciation.
Father's Day.

A tough act to follow.
Tracy's birthday is next week.
Yikes.

Eleventeen

Tracy and I picked up Ev from and end-of-school dance on Friday night. While Tracy waited in the car, I went to see if I could shake the boy from a crowd of kids still gathered outside the school.

What appeared ordinary at 100 feet was traumatic at 10. Uncontrollable sobbing... Prolonged hugs... both girls and boys engaging in the teariest 6th grade farewell I'd ever witnessed.

I toggled between amused and annoyed until I spotted Evan in the middle of the crowd. It didn't take a second to figure things out. He was hoping to join those carried away by the scene at hand. Trying to be in the right spot. Standing close. Leaning in just a little. It didn't happen. No hugs. No tears.

He was quiet on the way home.

We all go through painful moments growing up. Watching them happen to someone you're supposed to protect is considerably worse.

Two Steps Forward...

Eden went to prom on Saturday.



She passed her Driver's Test on Monday.


On Sunday... Oh well. You can't win them all.