Sunday, January 13, 2008

Yesterday the weather warmed up to feel like early April. My children gave a birthday party for their mom, Jan, (60) at a cafe in downtown Mystic, and many of us walked back the few blocks to Jan’s house in soft, shirtsleeve weather. I walked with Noah (4), Josh (19 months), and Luke, and we strolled along like winter was far away. Luke and I, however, didn’t have much time to savor the easygoing air, because we were constantly alert to make sure the boys didn’t make a sudden dash into traffic. They hopped, skipped, swung their arms, and smiled all the way to Jan’s. It was a satisfying afternoon for me, which is actually a big understatement. To sit at a long table in a lovely cafe with my children and grandchildren and their beloved mother, to saunter down the sidewalks in perfectly pleasant air with three handsome guys, to raise a glass of champagne to honor a remarkable wife and mother, and just to be part of such a splendid family – all of this gave me feelings of thankfulness far into the evening. I am one lucky dude.