Thursdays in Ionia ~ Day 4, 7.02

Written July 2, posted July 3

So, here I sit in my car using my laptop from our driveway. Kavaun is sleeping peacefully in his car seat and he is at the point that if I wake him, he will not fall back asleep. So, as a self-proclaimed good father, I have chosen to leave the car running so he can get his rest and I can do what I planned to do anyway (write this entry).

We spent our third consecutive Thursday in Ionia. I am so happy that I am sticking to my commitment to get home at least once per week this summer. I enjoy seeing family and friends and the familiar places that were my childhood. Part of my Thursdays in Ionia effort is related to getting Kavaun out and with his cousins and grandma KK. I never want to look back when things get busier and wish I had taken advantage of this time in the summer to be with family. I hope to have Kavaun around his cousins and aunts as much as possible in his childhood. As a child, I always enjoyed family gatherings and I still look forward to them. I absolutely loved all the time I spent with my cousins. My favorite times with family were probably from the time I was seven until twelve or thirteen during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Ionia Free Fair fireworks, Thursdays at my grandparents to watch the Cosby Show and the lucky moments when we were visiting with my grandparents and another aunt or uncle Dan would stop by or the occasional Memorial Day or Labor Day get together with watermelon - those are the times I remember fondly. I get nostalgic thinking about how much support I had from my family growing up.

Today I was reminded of how much I value cousin time when I had lunch with my cousin Jeff. In general, our family gatherings have kind of turned into a mix and match of little kids, in-laws and surface conversations. Everyone is so busy with kids or catching up on the basics that I feel like I miss out on good conversation and meaningful interaction. Having a one on one lunch with Jeff today was just the type of family time I needed. He is the most entertaining character I know. And he is one of the small circle of people I can completely be myself around - especially when it comes to being critical and negative about other people. I love it.

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Kavaun has had a busy couple of days. Yesterday he hung out with Gabe, our neighbor and the grandchild of Beata's former boss. Gabe is two weeks older than Kavaun and when I use the term "hung out" what I really mean is that they shared a space and both boys did their own thing. As you would expect, they were pretty independent. When Kavaun sees his cousin Jude who is about five months older than he is, it is a little bit different story. In general, the two boys keep to themselves but every once in a while one of them will wage a battle over a ball or a bottle.

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We took Kavaun to dinner at a friend's house tonight. He was generally pretty happy and as expected, he was very curious and adventurous so Beata and I ate one at a time. Our hosts, Michelle and Andy are getting married in September. We were asked to do a reading at their ceremony which is flattering.

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Beata is writing a story on the anniversary of the tragic accidental death of a three-year-old boy who died last July. On his third birthday, a large table collapsed on him at his day care center which was part of a church building. Beata interviewed the mother yesterday for the first time. In addition to this story, Beata has done some in-depth reporting on day care facilities and code violations. Her stories have generated a lot of interest in Genesee County and have brought awareness to important issues involving child care.

I think these types of stories take a toll on Beata, especially now that we are experiencing how unique and special it is to love your own child.

Pictures will be posted soon.

- N