the first of many
Father’s Day was awesome.
we woke up (if you don’t count the 4am feeding) at roughly 9am.
Erin and i enjoyed a bowl of cereal and coffee while PJ had a tall frosty mug of the usual.
10:45am and we’re off, food and supplies packed for a hike/picnic. we reach our destination, “The Arroyo,” (a trail five minutes drive away which we frequent) and set out on the trail. Parker Jane sits front face across my chest in a cotton wrap. Erin carries the food, supplies and misc. baby sundries.
the weather is beautiful-not too hot-with a nice breeze blowing. hikers and mountain bikers pass us. a horse trots by, then another.
at PJ’s request, we decide to pass Teddy’s Outpost and even the Official camp ground for a little more privacy at Nino Picnic Area (about 2 miles in).
diaper change, then food. PJ eats first. soon after Erin and i dig into egg salad sandwiches, fruit, and baby carrots. water, water, water; we are all satisfied.
a couple of pictures and then down to the stream. Erin puts PJ’s bare feet on the wet ground just in front of the water. we laugh and play and enjoy the wonders of nature all around us. then, wet feet. Erin and i laugh at PJ’s reaction, PJ does not join us in our glee.
we pack up and hit the trail again, back the way we came. soaking in the joys of the day so far, i remember that work looms in my near future. no good, not today, not with my girls as the alternative.
i call a friend to see if she would like to take my shift. yes. the rest of the day/night is ours.
we arrive home, feed and shower. PJ and i walk next door to invite our neighbor Michael to dinner. he accepts, we retreat to bed for a nap.
i begin to prepare food around 6pm. Michael warms up his grill and Erin preps PJ in a very cute purple flower footie and matching beanie. the food, dessert and two bottles of very nice wine are carted over to Michael’s patio. i grill, Michael and Erin set the table, PJ watches intently. The Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Ben Harper accompany us.
8pm and we eat, and eat, and drink, and eat, and drink some more. the wine is fantastic. we talk and talk and laugh and play with PJ and talk and laugh and play.
Shaeda, Michael’s daughter arrives, and we make her a plate. then, we talk and talk and laugh and play with PJ and talk and laugh and play.
homemade banana bread (from Erin to “daddy”) and chocolate ice cream. what a way finish.
11:30 approaches and we wind down. Shaeda says goodbye as Erin, PJ and i make the short walk home.
PJ eats, then a diaper change.
11:45 i make PJ laugh, for only the second time (Erin is an old pro at inciting a laugh session, but i am still working at it).
just after midnight i write this:
the job of a Father is certainly
no doubt
the very best job in the world.
especially when that job of Father
is for a little girl.
especially when the little girl’s name
is Parker Jane.
especially when her eyes are links
from her mother’s chain.
a first for me a first for her a first for such a feeling.
a feeling i’m counting and hoping and planning will keep me reeling and reeling.
the three of us lay together in bed, my arm around Parker Jane, Erin’s arm around mine. the light is clicked off.
Father’s day was awesome.
