Changing Man

[Gardener]

Well, the far better day than I could have wished for is almost over.

After the wonderful flurry of well wishes and support this morning, I checked email before heading out.

An E-Card from my wife. Generic but touching and unexpected. Composing myself, I quickly replied, "Thank you, my herfirstname." Natural, normal, leapt through the fingertips. I started to go back and delete the formerly customary "my" from before her name and decided no. I hit "send" and off it went. As is (though I did immediately think there'll be some kind of rebuke for that little endearment later, I betcha).

Work a few hours and off to not-too-far-away amusement park for the promised, non-metaphorical roller coaster ride. Park was relatively empty, lines virtually non-existent, so Lil Boy Gardener did his Roller Coaster Thing six times. A Carousal, Log Flume, and hot dog later, by myself began to feel more like alone (but not lonely - yet). So I headed home.

Got home and my wife called to ask if I wanted to go for her previously-offered birthday ice cream now instead of later. Off I went. And we had a good, relaxed time.
Talk of kids, grandkids, upcoming vacation, etc. Smiling. I said far less than she but I felt good, serene, and I think it showed. She attempted to find out where I was today, if I worked (still in amusement park "play clothes") and I evaded twice just using my usual lame, self-employed phrase of "I gave me the afternoon off."

Ice Cream done, I said I gotta leave, someplace to go, and she asked me to come to her car with her, where she presented me with one of those gourmet bakery shop humongous 1/2 lb. decadent cupcakes. "For you! Take it home and put a candle in it!"

And nary a mention of the "my" in my "Thank you, my herfirstname," email.

A relaxed 45 minutes with my dear friend! It was her! (oh, alright: "It was she!").

Came home and put the ol' icing on the cake, so to speak: I joined facebook a few days ago (yeah, yeah, I know: I'm 56 fer cryinoutloud) and soon thereafter found long lost granddaughter who I haven't seen or heard from in 4 or 5 years (looong, sad son's sitch). She's 13 now. I asked if I could "be her friend", in the parlance of the site.

Next day came her official acceptance (without comment). I am overjoyed beyond belief, but I gotta take this slooowly. So I come home tonight, sit down and begin to type: "my dear grandaughtername..."

For today. This day: is life friggin' great or what?

Thank you for kickin' the day off for me with such fun, all.