So, it's been awhile since I wrote. Life, as they say, just gets busy when you have a baby. But, this business is well worth it. Especially when you have a baby that is as easy as Charlotte.
St. Charles, MO {circa 1977} ~
I remember opening my father's eye lids while he slept, snoring, in bed one morning.
I remember standing in my crib and watching a black & white TV that sat on my parents dresser.
I remember getting in trouble for jumping off the wooden railroad ties that lined the street into the apartment complex. Some lady complained to my mother that I did this in front of her moving automobile.
I remember an old man with a big dog who I used to go talk to.
I remember some older kids being dickheads on the basketball court.
I remember being sleepy-eyed and walking downstairs to watch the Winnie the Pooh cartoon on TV.
Some day, Charlotte will have memories like these; some 30-odd-years after they've happened.
For now, she can be a star in some (most) of these home movies ~
* * *
Today is June 20th. Saturday we found out that Cassidy had taken his life. This left Jessica in a state of confusion, sadness and fear. This happened Father's Day weekend. San and I had just arrived at Sue's house to drop off Charlotte. Our plans were to attend the Westword Music Fest for the day. Sue came down and immediately informed us that, "we've got a problem" and told us that Cassidy had passed away. We were shocked and a sense of surrealism took hold. I called Jessica, who was obviously shaken and told her we'd be right over. We followed Sue and arrived around noon. The kids asked us why mommy was crying and I cannot remember what we told them. Erin and San took the kids to McDonald's while Jessica, Sue and I tried to decide how to tell the kids what had happened. Dad gave his input, as well. We tried in vain to get a hold of mom and Bob, but she was with the horses and Bob was golfing. When the kids returned, Jessica took them into her room and broke the news. Max came out shortly afterward and you could tell that he didn't really know what to think of what he had just been told. I could hear Sadie crying in Jessica's room and her sobs broke my heart. We spent the rest of the day digesting the tragedy. At this point, I only know this much - Cassidy will be cremated and his service will be held in Denver. My heart goes out to his family and friends, especially his children. Each and every one of us, including himself, hoped that he would be able to clean himself up and be a father to Sadie and Max. We now know that he's in a much better place than where he'd been for the past years.
* * *
So to catch-up on the past events of the springtime -
Grandpa Jones journeyed to Colorado and met Charlotte.
San celebrated a birthday.
San celebrated a birthday.
Charlotte had her first solid food (sweet potatoes).
We went camping over Memorial Day weekend.
Jessica celebrated her birthday.
Charlotte turned 6 months old.
