New Light

It’s an opportune time to mention a new light that appeared in Great Aunt’s life earlier this year. On my Favorite Panamanian’s birthday, Namesake Nephew or, more accurately, his wife, produced Great Aunt’s first grandchild. In the months since, she has become a revelation, mainly in the light she’s introduced back into Great Aunt’s life. Based on my own experience, granddaughters have an intrinsically medicinal effect on grandparents and that has certainly taken place with Great Aunt. Ever since the tragedy of Soxfather, she had, understandably, dimmed from the energetic dynamo she had always been. She was not alone in the devastation of that time, but she was the closest to the sun.

Granddaughter (r) Clapping for her Grandma

That all changed in February when her granddaughter arrived. It has helped immensely that that new addition is beyond cute, is precocious, and has bonded with her grandmother. While there will always be part of her missing with Soxfather, it’s helped the rest of the us heal seeing her rejuvenated. She’ll probably be pissed for me writing this, (she’s intensely private) but she sent these pictures today of her gifted and utterly precious granddaughter and I felt inspired to reveal, as part of family history how important the new kid is, for all of us. Life deserves good news stories.

Undeniably Cute with her Dad's Blonde Hair

In decidedly more mundane news, I just received my new driver’s license. I had been a little nervous about the eye test but I passed that with flying colors. I also upgraded to the real ID version which meant I had to sacrifice small animals as well as provide a raft of paperwork. I’m not impressed because it looks just like the old one but now has a small star in the corner. I’m in serious psyche mode because tomorrow we journey south to start the celebration of the FBR’s 10^th birthday. My Favorite Panamanian has been laboring for the past few days into the early morning hours creating one of her signature cakes, conforming to the FBR’s guidance on its content. The best part about the upcoming weekend is that my son’s family will also join us which means all three of my granddaughters will be together and with us. As I stated above, intrinsically medicinal.

FBR Awaiting her Birthday Sleepover Guests for Tonight

Five movies fell in the A-Z watch, four keepers: This Means War – despite three of my favorite actors, this just doesn’t work, eject; The Thomas Crown Affair – outstanding dramedy update of the classic, Rene Russo is smoking; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – one of best movies in 21^st century, fantastic acting from McDormand/Harrison/Rockwell; The Thrill of it All – classic Doris Day rom-com, hasn’t aged well but still; Time After Time – outstanding sci fi with HG Wells pursuing Jack the Ripper into the 20^th century with his time machine

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RECURRING CHARACTERS:                                

ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete – my daughter in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter #3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; CRC - Connecticut Riverboat Captain – another close friend from high school, renowned sailor of the big river; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn; Czech Connection – Czech couple who’ve become good friends along with their daughter (the Czech Shadow); Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd Musquetera (musketeer); Namesake Nephew – son of Great Aunt and Soxfather named after me; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; PCR - Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; PCR+1 - Pittsburgh College Roommate’s wife; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Seis Amigos - two couples from our condo complex and my wife and I; Soxfather – my brother-in-law (whom I miss more than I can ever explain); Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course