You Did Good Kid

You wouldn't be so impressed with the sunshine,

If it wasn't for the darkness.

-The Hold Steady

My extraordinary daughter-in-law, Jessica, is celebrating a birthday today.  I have often told her that her timing is impeccable.  Not only because she and Rob met at a time in his life where - whether he realized it or not - he needed to meet her.  Also, because her birthday breaks up what is otherwise a fairly bleak run of days on our family calendar, coming as it does between the anniversaries of the deaths of my father and Margaret's mother and, as of three years ago, two days prior to the anniversary of Mom's death.  

As I said, her timing is impeccable. 

Later this summer, in or about the latter half of July, Jess and Rob shall add a fourth member to their family.  I cannot wait until my newest grandchild arrives and, thereafter, to meet her.  This little girl cannot yet know and cannot yet appreciate the loving environment into which she is being born.  She will figure it out in short order, no doubt.  Her soon-to-be big sister, Abigail, who shall soon be two years old, is whip-smart.  I am confident she shall prove to be an excellent mentor for her little sister, similar to the way that Maggie has been, first with Cal and now, also, with Rylan. 

I smile as I write this because I am thinking of the first time I met Jess.  It was at Newark Airport.  Rob had called me a few weeks prior to this chance meeting to tell me that he was flying east for a few days and wanted to know if the old man (me) wanted to go with him to see The Hold Steady play a show in New York City.  At one point, I knew where they were playing but now, not so much.  I said yes, of course, and when he made his flight arrangements, he sent them to me so I could pick him up at the airport. 

Fast forward to a day or two before his trip east.  My son called to tell me that he'd just started dating a young woman who, coincidentally, was from New Jersey and who was also flying home to visit her family at the same time - and on the same flight - as he was. Holy Triple Coincidence, Batman! He called to ask me if it was okay that he revoked my "plus-one" status for The Hold Steady show so that he/Jess could go together.  Of course it was.  I remember telling him something to the effect that if he took me instead of Jess, he and I were going to have to have a long conversation.  He laughed. 

When Rob walked off the plane and towards me in the terminal, I could not help but notice the young woman with whom he was walking and to whom he was talking.  Actually, what caught my eye was my son's inability to look anywhere but at Jess as the two walked together.  Upon reaching me, Rob introduced Jess to me and, as is her nature, she hugged me.  As she did, and while smiling, she said to me something to the effect of "sorry about stealing your ticket"!  I whispered into her ear, also while smiling, "it's okay. I think you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other."  

We separated.  She smiled.  So did I. 

Happy Birthday, Jess.  Much love.  

-AK