A good friend and I snuck off on a recent Monday morning and did a little fishing. It was a gorgeous fall day with just the slightest nip in the air -- cool and crisp, the kind of morning that gives you a lift, especially if you are going fishing and not going to work.
When I picked him up at 6 a.m. he was all smiles, allowing as to how this was just what he needed. I told him I hoped the fishing would not disapppoint (which it didn't) but he said he was, at that very moment, already pronouncing it a successful outing, fish or no fish.
He and I are both allegedly at that "emtpy nest" phase of life but neither of us has seen a sign of one yet. He was feeling particularly overwhelmed and a day on the lake was just what he needed. He also put me to shame as far as catching fish was concerned. Glad I could help him out.
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I am pleased to report that Older Son came through his surgery with flying colors and is recuperating well here at the house. He and DIL flew in last Tuesday, which just happened to be my birthday, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with them, along with DIL's parents, that night.
His surgery was Wednesday and he stayed the night at the hospital, with DIL dutifully at his side, as she has been ever since. He's still on some pretty heavy pain meds, and takes naps intermittently as they kick in, but he's also getting up and going on short walks and showing steady improvement.
(Thanks to all who prayed for Older Son. I appreciate it more than you know).
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I might have already mentioned that this is one of the best times of year for a number of reasons, not the least of which are college football and post-season baseball. Our favorite college team, Auburn, is not having the banner season of last year but there have been some unexpected wins.
As for post-season MLB, well, Older Son, with whom I have attended numerous games over the years, found himself, along with DIL, at the American League Championship Game last Saturday night in Arlington, TX where the Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers to win the AL pennant. So happy for him to get to do that.
Later in the week I got an e-mail from my friend in Little Rock, who also shares the baseball passion with me and who I met in St. Louis earlier this summer for a game (subject of earlier blog post), with the subject line saying, simply, "Going to Game 2 (of the World Series) in St. Louis." So happy for him too.
Oh, and did I mention that I am so happy and pleased for both of them? Years ago when I learned in Sunday School that I am not supposed to covet, I was told that it was OK to want something like my neighbor has; I just wasn't supposed to want what he had and wish he didn't have it.
OK. I'm glad my friend caught more fish than I did. I'm glad my son got to go see a team win the league pennant, something I have never done. And I'm just delighted for my buddy in Little Rock who got to go to a World Series game (also an incomplete item on my bucket list) and who, the next time he attends a game with me, will buy his own beer and hot dog.
I wish I could have caught an equal amount of fish that were mine (not his fish, but the same amount or greater); I wish I could have been at a pennant game; and I wish I could go to a World Series game.
See? Did all that without coveting. And I'll stop grinding my teeth as soon as I'm done writing this.
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I jest; you know I jest. Life is good for me, so much richer and better than I deserve and I try to remember to say a prayer of gratitude each day.
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A big shout-out and Happy Birthday to Younger Son, David, who turns 19 years old today. I could write pages and pages about what his life has meant to me and what a blessing he is to his entire family. But I won't.
I have missed him terribly this fall but continue to be immensely proud of him and happy for him as he experiences college life. Can't wait to have some quality time with him at Thanksgiving.