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Drove to Logan to support my friends in the Nashville Tribute Band at their show at the Kent Concert Hall on the campus of Utah State University. The show opened with me, sitting at the piano, playing the intro to LET HIM IN, the first song in the Forgotten Carols. A few measures in, I was interrupted, in front of all those people. I protested, "People really like this song" but it didn't matter. Today was NOVEMBER FIRST and The Forgotten Carols in Logan is scheduled for DECEMBER FIRST. Oops! Off by a month. Never mind.
Got a nice laugh, and later that evening I was invited to sing a few songs and it was fun. In fact, at the end of the week I'm going to be subbing for keyboardist Dan Truman at their shows in Arizona. As always, being with good folks making good music for good crowds is nothing but fulfilling a mission to be happy.
At 2:30am on October 30th I got sick. I'd been warned I might get sick because the kids had been spitting up a lot earlier in the week. Well, it hit me hard…and I was grateful I wasn't more than a dozen steps from the bathroom. Yuk!
Although whatever invaded my gastric track only lasted 48 hours or so, I lost my primary focus as a missionary on a mission to be happy. I shifted my focus. I was on a two day quest for survival. Or not. Whatever was messin' with me I just wanted it to stop.
My empathy for anyone suffering is taking a major upswing.
October 29th: But I can't speak Spanish!
Clinging to my left leg with a rather ferocious grip I asked why Bucky didn't have any clothes on. The sitter didn't speak English but she didn't have to. She simply held up his clothes, said something in Spanish, and placed them in my hands. She was obviously frustrated by Bucky's lack of cooperation in the getting dressed department. Bucky simply wanted to be assured I wouldn't abandon him.
"Hey, Bucky…it's okay. What's the matter?" And then, his unforgettable reply, just on the edge of tears.
"Tappaw, I can't speak Spanish".
I reassured him I wasn't leaving. We put on his clothes and decided to have a "run-a-way day", just the two of us, until his folks got home from work. Sadie was very content not speaking spanish, or any language for that matter, so Bucky and I began our adventure. McDonald's playland, the Children's museum, a stroll around the Gateway, frequent stops for treats and deep discussions about cookies and ice cream.
It was the perfect M2B:) day…and the only language spoken was love.
I had some cereal this morning with whole milk. Wow! What a concept!
I did something wonderful today. I gave my wife and my daughter and my granddaughter a gift. I gave them a nap. Put them in their napping spots, closed the doors, plumped their pillows took Bucky on an adventure which took all afternoon.
I'm currently patting myself on the back…taking full (and I man FULL) credit for my wonderfulness. Not taking credit that I may negotiate for future favors, mind you. I'm just giving myself permission to acknowledge my M2B:) afternoon at Dairy Keen with my grandson. We had great fun, and delicious treats while building towers and robots and playing with trains.
I'm still smiling…though I believe my triceps are cramping up from all the self-congratulatory pats on my own back. Maybe I should have asked Bucky to do it for me.