July, 2013
Our plan unfolds as we'd hoped:
My plane lands at noon on Saturday.
Katie picks me up at the airport, and while spending time with this beloved friend, who has nestled in my heart since Barry brought her home, twenty-six years ago, when both were in high school, my spirit picks up, as well :)
Once Barry calls to say that he is free to be with me, Katie drops me at Marie's.
Will's plane arrives on time at 5PM.
I remain with Marie and her boys while Barry fetches his dad, who plans to impart distressing news to our eldest son while they spend one-on-one time in the car.
As father and eldest son walk into Marie's, Will and I hug. Then when Barry's hug holds fast to me, my throat constricts, and I manage to hold tears of raw emotion in check, because we all believe it's best for Barry to impart distressing news to Marie, late Sunday afternoon, so as not to dampen anyone's spirits until after Ray's birthday party has been thoroughly enjoyed.
Soon, our interactions with three year old Tony and two year old Ray sweep the blues away as the antics of small fry tend to do. And as little ones sense how much Will and I enjoy children, we four find too much to giggle about to dwell on thoughts that would have pulled our spirits down had we not flown to the coast to have fun with our sons …
Later that evening, Barry drives us back to his place, where we three are sprawled on our son's queen-sized bed, discussing what to expect of the immediate future. And once again, while hugging good night, we cling to each other a bit longer than at those times when life seems to stretch beyond today into forever …
While snuggling in the guest room, Will relates his one-on-one discussion with Barry, and as my mind absorbs thoughts exchanged between father and son, raw emotion quietly tears up on my husband's shoulder, most especially when this part of their conversation—which makes my heart melt—is disclosed:
Barry is reassuring Will that if the worst scenerio comes to pass, there's one thing that his father's mind can rest easy about—Dad, you don't have to worry about Mom, because if she's alone, all three of us will take good care of her …
As emotionally spent as I am, sleep does not come for quite a while after Will has drifted off, until finally, the even nature of my husband's chest rising and falling against my back lulls my think tank to relax and I nod off …
By the time Will and I are dressed, groomed and the guest room has been straightened in the morning, Barry is already at Marie's, placing finishing touches on 'the train station' that his creative mind has magically conjured up to match Ray's party theme, which is sure to delight every small guest with this surprise: A whimsical train, which is due to chug up to the curb soon after the party begins, will arrive fully equipped with a costumed engineer who will cheerfully transport Ray's young cousins and friends up and down one side street after another throughout Marie's neighborhood.
About half an hour before the party gets underway, Barry calls to say that he'll cover the distance between his house and Marie's in ten minutes or less, and as Will and I are ready for fun, we sit down on the living room couch, waiting eagerly until our son toots his horn. At this, Will and I grab our things and gifts for both boys and hurry outside, where my husband offers me the front seat in Barry's SUV (thus reducing sciatic pain, which tends to increase in the back seat where leg room is less expansive).
While engaging in conversation during our ten minute ride to Marie's, I find Barry's enthusiasm about readying everything for Ray's party so contagious as to ignite my sense of joy. And my mind and heart relax even more when I glance back at Will and see his eyes shining instead of staring off into space, lost in thoughts of mortality, as he's been wont to do, recently …
Next up, how best to impart distressing news as gently as possible to youngest son, David, who, having driven forty-five minutes between his house and Marie's, is due to arrive at Ray's second celebration of life, momentarily …
Our plan unfolds as we'd hoped:
My plane lands at noon on Saturday.
Katie picks me up at the airport, and while spending time with this beloved friend, who has nestled in my heart since Barry brought her home, twenty-six years ago, when both were in high school, my spirit picks up, as well :)
Once Barry calls to say that he is free to be with me, Katie drops me at Marie's.
Will's plane arrives on time at 5PM.
I remain with Marie and her boys while Barry fetches his dad, who plans to impart distressing news to our eldest son while they spend one-on-one time in the car.
As father and eldest son walk into Marie's, Will and I hug. Then when Barry's hug holds fast to me, my throat constricts, and I manage to hold tears of raw emotion in check, because we all believe it's best for Barry to impart distressing news to Marie, late Sunday afternoon, so as not to dampen anyone's spirits until after Ray's birthday party has been thoroughly enjoyed.
Soon, our interactions with three year old Tony and two year old Ray sweep the blues away as the antics of small fry tend to do. And as little ones sense how much Will and I enjoy children, we four find too much to giggle about to dwell on thoughts that would have pulled our spirits down had we not flown to the coast to have fun with our sons …
Later that evening, Barry drives us back to his place, where we three are sprawled on our son's queen-sized bed, discussing what to expect of the immediate future. And once again, while hugging good night, we cling to each other a bit longer than at those times when life seems to stretch beyond today into forever …
While snuggling in the guest room, Will relates his one-on-one discussion with Barry, and as my mind absorbs thoughts exchanged between father and son, raw emotion quietly tears up on my husband's shoulder, most especially when this part of their conversation—which makes my heart melt—is disclosed:
Barry is reassuring Will that if the worst scenerio comes to pass, there's one thing that his father's mind can rest easy about—Dad, you don't have to worry about Mom, because if she's alone, all three of us will take good care of her …
As emotionally spent as I am, sleep does not come for quite a while after Will has drifted off, until finally, the even nature of my husband's chest rising and falling against my back lulls my think tank to relax and I nod off …
By the time Will and I are dressed, groomed and the guest room has been straightened in the morning, Barry is already at Marie's, placing finishing touches on 'the train station' that his creative mind has magically conjured up to match Ray's party theme, which is sure to delight every small guest with this surprise: A whimsical train, which is due to chug up to the curb soon after the party begins, will arrive fully equipped with a costumed engineer who will cheerfully transport Ray's young cousins and friends up and down one side street after another throughout Marie's neighborhood.
About half an hour before the party gets underway, Barry calls to say that he'll cover the distance between his house and Marie's in ten minutes or less, and as Will and I are ready for fun, we sit down on the living room couch, waiting eagerly until our son toots his horn. At this, Will and I grab our things and gifts for both boys and hurry outside, where my husband offers me the front seat in Barry's SUV (thus reducing sciatic pain, which tends to increase in the back seat where leg room is less expansive).
While engaging in conversation during our ten minute ride to Marie's, I find Barry's enthusiasm about readying everything for Ray's party so contagious as to ignite my sense of joy. And my mind and heart relax even more when I glance back at Will and see his eyes shining instead of staring off into space, lost in thoughts of mortality, as he's been wont to do, recently …
Next up, how best to impart distressing news as gently as possible to youngest son, David, who, having driven forty-five minutes between his house and Marie's, is due to arrive at Ray's second celebration of life, momentarily …
No comments:
Post a Comment