Going for a Bike Ride

Just recently, a friend got a new bike. As it turned out, that also meant that I got a new bike.

I got Paul's old bike. I was pretty excited - this meant I could get some exercise and pedal to jam with him on weekends. I might even see what it's like riding my bike to work someday.

What I didn't anticipate, was the biggest benefit, the biggest gift of all...

"Dad! This is so cool! I am having so much fun going for bike rides with you! Today was awesome! Can we go again tomorrow?"

I'm sitting here typing, and I just asked him, "What are some of the coolest things you've seen with our bike rides?"  He tells me, and let me wipe that little tear out of  the corner of my eye -- He tells me, "The best part is being with each other - seeing things and finding quiet places."  Damn him. Seriously gives me a huge, huge smile. Poor kid - is turning out a worse sap than his own father.

This has opened up a whole new relationship between David and me. We are having a blast. You should see him!

The last few weeks, we've winded our way through our neighborhoods, down skinny, sandy alley ways, survived busy streets, pedaled through scrub palmettos and we've hesitated, then discovered hidden paths at low tide. We've zig-zagged through an empty car dealership; we've seen egrets and we've avoided a landing wood stork that could've landed on our heads... we've thrown rocks, peed in port-a-potties and spit off bridges.

A couple of weeks ago, we stopped and were watching the waves - David gets this real serious tone and says, "Dad, you know how I am like in third grade now, and like, I don't read picture books anymore? I am reading Chapter Books?

Well, I think I might be a little old for a "picture-bike" now. I mean, I like Spiderman and all, but I think I want a bike that is all one color." 

Today - we headed towards the Intracoastal and stopped to walk around a nearby marina. We decided we are going to buy a houseboat. Well, that is only if our Powerball numbers pay off or if Papa is willing to just hand over $120,000 willy nilly. (Hey Dad? Call me?)

Later in our bike ride, Michele sent a text: Where r u?

I replied: Lost!

and then I sent her this picture:

True, we weren't quite sure at the time where we had ended up, but Lost? No way. There was no place I would have rather been, then right there.

With my son.

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Thanks Paul

Merry Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

And the smell of cookies was all through the house...

And up popped a reindeer, sharing delight,

As Santa Paul built JumboBlocks, attaining great height... 

Cheryl Claus did at once appear, bringing toys and Cuddle Pets,

Like Alligators and Dogs the boys found so dear...

What a horrible poem they say, my Daddy does write,

"We got Avengers, we tear open with might!"

And train sets and puzzles and all things we like...

Just look at these jammies, we shout to Uncle Mike!

But there is no love deeper, I say to my Hon,

Than a Law 'n Order Coffee Cup whose handle is a Gun.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

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A Really Nice December Visit

Dad & Barbara included us in a quick trip South at the beginning of the month. We had such a nice visit.

I only say that of course because of the homemade cookies, the ice cream and the remote control cars for the boys. Haha.  And that frosted German fruitcake-like loaf was amazingly delicious! Thank You!

We totally enjoyed your visit. I wish the weather had been more Florida-like and not Ohio-Syberian-like, but the walk to the beach and the shell collecting turned out quite fun. What a beautiful place we live in.

Thanks too for the laughs, the food and hugs.

Merry Christmas Dad, Grandpa, Papa, and Oma!

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Sandy Hook, Newtown, CT 12-14-2012

I kept looking around at the cars around me on the way home tonight.

I kept looking around to see if anyone else had eyes welled up with tears like I did. I could not wait to get home to my boys tonight. I kept thinking of how far away Josh felt.

It was pretty easy to dismiss immediate media hype early in the day, but as the afternoon unfolded, I had WFSB streaming live on my computer. Wow. Today affected me.

I don't know Sandy Hook. Never been through Newtown.

But I miss New England. I miss Connecticut. I know how I feel about New England, about Connecticut; about small towns, and the sense of Community. The importance of roots and Family.

I am also a Dad. A Husband. I have a Josh, a David, a Matthew and am married to a Michele.

I think I hugged David for almost 5 minutes tonight when I got home.

Cool part was, he let me.

Michele & I talked at length about how she and David dealt with the reality of today before I got home.

Matthew is still a little young to understand what happened today, but I got my hug, my kiss on the nose and a detailed, play-by-play-snack-by-snack replay of his Holiday Party. I felt every squeeze and heard every syllable. I read Josh's post on FB. I love my boys. I can't imagine losing Michele. I love my BumBum.


There may be storms like Sandy and twisters and earthquakes.... but tragedies like today are much scarier, much uglier.

The ugliness is SO not understandable.

My prayers tonight will include the astonishment, the bewilderment, the utter disbelief and my incomprehensible recognition of the shocking emptiness each of these families must be feeling.

And will feel. Forever.

Damn.




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