Tag Archives: children

Wednesday Morning Ramblings

July 13, 2011 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

I had a great time with my sons. We had so much fun and got to have a wonderful time for the Fourth. There were plenty of funny little moments that I would like to share, but I’m a little pressed for time, so I’ll have to write those another day. They are growing up so fast. My oldest wanted to stay longer, but we couldn’t work it out this trip. I am going to make every effort to get them again at the end of the month for one more week.

I gave Collin an old cell phone so we can talk more often. He figured out on his own how to text using the T9 predictive system, which just amazes me. He can read and write pretty well for a seven year old, and he also can take pictures and send them. He’s so happy with the phone, carrying it around like his most prized possession. It’s a Casio Boulder, too, so he can be as hard on it as he likes and not destroy it.

Yesterday, I went to the farm and worked some more on the building. I’ll go back today after lunch. There’s a lot to do and very little time to get it done, so I’m going to have to kick it into overdrive for the next few weeks. I may not get to write too many blogs for the rest of the summer, but I’ll try to provide a few updates to how things are going with the farm. That’s all for now.

General Posts

Father’s Day Ramblings

June 19, 2011 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

104_2007 — About the only way to get them both in a picture...

Father’s Day is always bittersweet for me. Because of my work schedule, I don’t get to spend it with my sons, but being a father is the most important job I have. There isn’t a second I don’t miss them, and nothing can replace the time I’ve lost with them. But I make every effort to make sure they know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. Of all of my accomplishments, the thing I’m most proud of is the first 12 day stretch I kept them alone, feeding them every meal, changing every diaper, giving every bath, and getting them to bed each night.

I’m also lucky to have a great father, and he means the world to me. He is one of the most patient, kind, and loving men on this planet, and he is the main reason for the man I am today. I live my life in an attempt to the examples of hard work and perseverance he demonstrated. The lessons he taught, the values he instilled, and the model he provided are all cherished memories that I hope to be able to pass along.

Thanks, Dad. I love you.

General Posts

Tuesday Afternoon Ramblings

June 14, 2011 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

January 2008 was one of the darkest periods of my life. My children had just moved to Florida with their mother, and I was left with the enormity of cleaning out my old apartment to move into my mother’s house. On the fourth or fifth day after the boys were gone, I called my aunt, Carolyn, for moral support. She and I had always been close and had talked often over the years. We had much in common, including our quirky sense of humor, and we laughed often whenever we talked. At that moment, I needed to laugh desperately.

Aunt Carolyn had been battling breast cancer for several years, and around that time, she had taken a turn for the worse. Her health had declined precipitously that winter, and though neither of us acknowledged it directly, we both knew that would be the last time we would speak to each other. We talked for a couple of hours, mostly about the divorce and my kids, but also about life. As we talked, I moved around the apartment, cleaning and packing as much as I could with one free hand. Despite the fact that she was sick and dying, she comforted me and gave me strength. We told each other how much we meant, and I’m grateful that I had the chance to tell her directly. I’ll never forget that conversation and will cherish it for the rest of my life.

She passed away a month and a half later, on the day I had to take the boys back from their first return stay with me. Literally, I was carrying them down the stairs to the car when I got the call. I was already distraught over the trip and couldn’t handle more grief, so I stuffed it away and dealt with the turmoil of reliving the separation from my kids. To this day, I haven’t grieved for her properly. I’ve cried a few times, and I think about her often, but I haven’t really mourned for her. That causes me quite a bit of guilt, though I’m certain she would understand given the circumstances.

Aunt Carolyn was one of my biggest fans. She absolutely loved Brotherhood and as much as anyone encouraged me to keep writing. Her words stick with me whenever I’m working on the series. She was a good friend and a great aunt, and I’m lucky to have had her in my life. This entry doesn’t do justice to the impact she had on me, but it’s a start. Thank you, Aunt Carolyn. I miss you.