I just wish I could stay a little longer.
-Jack Thomas
Never had I read a single word of Jack Thomas' work until yesterday morning. It was at that time my brother Bill sent me the link to this piece that Thomas, who has been a journalist for sixty years and who has written for The Boston Globe since 1958, wrote for a recent issue of The Globe Magazine. I cannot recommend it enough. Be prepared to shed a tear or ten. Its title tells the tale, "I just learned I only have months to live. This is what I want to say."
Today, the youngest of my Fab Five, Shea, is one year old. As Jack Thomas prepares to bid this world farewell, the littlest of Pop Pop's little darlings completes her first lap around the sun. My wish for her is that she has many, many such trips ahead of her. Inasmuch as I have a fifty-four-year-plus headstart on her, I reasonably anticipate that her race shall be run long after mine has ended. As it should be.
Not knowing how many tomorrows remain in the reservoir reminds me to enjoy my todays as much as I can. It was a week ago Wednesday when Shea, a Colorado kid, made her maiden voyage into the ocean. She made it in the arms of her Pop Pop.
There is of course no chance that Shea will recall this moment. There is equally no chance that I shall ever forget it.
Happy Birthday, Shea! Your Pop Pop loves you very much.
-AK
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