My father died fifty years ago on June 2, 1965.  The death notice for Laurell A. Gainer, a pharmacist, age 34.

William's soccer team won the championship of a tournament this past weekend!

Shoulder pads

On Friday evening we watched a family movie about an ordinary kid determined to play with Notre Dame football team.  William loved the football playing scenes and he imitated them all during the movie.  

At some point he changed into his football jersey, and after the movie was finished, I noticed that his shoulders had pads of some sort.  I said, "William, what are those pads on your shoulders?"  

"Socks," he said. 

While driving home from work today and I passed the office buildings and shopping mall in Tyson's corner, I suddenly thought of my best college friends and a single thought crossed my mind:  I wouldn't recognize who I've become--traveling as I was in a business suit from work as a government bureaucrat.

These startling words came to me, I suppose, because yesterday I attended a retirement ceremony for someone I've known at work for almost my entire time in my job.  She was retiring after 28 years, and I've been working for 27 years at the same agency....

Kate with Angelina

Yesterday I took Kate to a musical with Angelina ballerina, the mouse who loves ballet.  Kate was enthralled and applauded enthusiastically with the audience after each number.  Afterwards the actors met the children and gave autographs.

Kate pulled from her backpack her book about Angelina, and I asked Angelina to sign the inside cover.  Angelina asked for Kate's name and then wrote, "Kate, Thanks for coming to our show.  Angelina."

As we drove home, Kate asked me in awe,  "How did Angelina know how to spell my name, K-A-T-E."

Wedding Anniversary

Today is the anniversary of the wedding day for Deborah and me.  I still say that the only good decision that I've made in my life was to ask Deborah to marry me.  She dragged me out of my self- absorption and brooding to engage with life:  We left my Hillwood home where I had suffered and found rituals to distract me from my suffering.  We bought a new home and started a family with two delightful, adorable children, William and Kate, because of her daring and persistence, not mine.

Kate Pretending

Kate pretends all day long.  Here she is the bride at a wedding.