Today we road on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Everyone had a good time and a good meal in Peninsula before returning to Akron. The only photos are using my phone . . . sorry ’bout the low quality. It was a beautiful day.
Caleb and Owen cooked dinner this evening. Yummy pizza.
Shelby and Brenna took time from their girls’ weekend to visit the Saracenos and us this evening. Their daughters, Bailey and Kayla, entertained everyone with a variety of activities — gardening, bird tending, bug watching, flirting (with Daniel), coloring and wrestling (all while being adorable). It was great to see everyone, to get updated on the Wisconsin clan, and to reminisce. A few pictures from the visit are below.
Today we celebrated Owen’s birthday (a few days early). It was a rainy day (on and off all day; from sprinkles to downpours), but we had a good time. Kate, Anna, Caleb and Owen had fun playing, setting off bottle poppers, and opening presents. Owen and Anna licked the cake before we sang “Happy Birthday” . . . this is why Owen’s face looks a little blue in some of the photos. We finished with Owen defending Caleb from Nate — Owen returned from the bedroom wearing boxing gloves and proceeded to deliver a major whooping to his much older (by 20 years) cousin Nathan.
I remember watching Mike and Cliff play together even before we moved next door to him: Mike, green-eyed with hair bleached whitey-blond in the summer sun; Cliff, dark coffee complexion and laughing brown eyes~they looked like negatives of each other. I remember Mike, Jeff, Cliff, Daquita, Anthony and probably Missy attempting to dig a tunnel from the sidewalk to our apple tree. Oh, and throwing those damned apples. When did they grow apart? I don’t remember, exactly: I think it was when Cliff’s parents divorced and he moved away. Maybe it was a natural divergence in interests, though. Or was it race? I don’t know. Hadn’t really thought much about it, I guess. Life gets busy and it’s easy to just compartmentalize memories and move on. I’d run into Cliff’s mom now and then, and, of course, see his dad as we handled outdoor chores. We kept loose tabs on how the kids were doing, Cliff, and Anthony, and Daquita. Beautiful kids. Great potential, these kids of ours. We had seen Anthony and ‘Quita in recent years, but haven’t seen Cliff for what~10? 15? years.
And then last week we read that Clifford Cummings, Jr. had been stabbed during a home invasion and had died at the hospital. Cliff, of the laughing brown eyes and wiry frame. Cliff, who ran a recording studio now. Cliff, veteran of the Gulf War. Cliff, Mike’s childhood friend. Gone just like that.
Mike came home for the funeral, to say goodbye. When I went up to her, Antoinette just said “Don’t make me cry!” and we hugged. What could be said, after all, between us? What do you say to a mom who lost a 38 year old son to an act of such elemental violence?
I just wish we’d stayed in better touch over the years, that’s all.
I just wish I’d known Cliff as an adult.
I just wish knives and guns weren’t the goddamn go-to responses in arguments.
We had a great weekend with Mike, Jen and the kids, with a visit to the Allen County Museum, swimming at the motel, hanging out and playing board games and Wii. Caleb is a great big brother, skilled at Wii, patient with Owen and with ol’ Grandma, and a wonderful reader. Owen is bright and funny, incredibly imaginative, loves his brother and his Grandpa Choochoo, and is energetic and companionable. We had a blast!
Here are a few pictures of Caleb & Owen in the motel pool. Their swimming styles are different, but equally enthusiastic: Caleb is cautious, but is becoming much more comfortable in the water, and Owen knows no fear. They would’ve stayed there all day if mom and dad had let them.
We cannot WAIT to have all three grandsons together this summer when Jeff, Anna Marie and Sebastian come to town–their very different personalities just seem to blend and complement each other! I’m starting to count the days…
Caleb and Owen at the Pool from Pa on Vimeo.
Seems like just yesterday…
Have a wonderful day, son! We love you!
Here are a few snapshots from the birthday party Bob and Lyn had for Poppy. Deborah and Kris were in town (Kris to pick his next car at the Auto Show), and we got to meet Cooper for the first time. Cooper is a very cute and very easy-going baby. He was watching everything, and he was engaging in baby conversation with Lynda. The red hair makes him seem very “Westbrook-ish” for now. I think everyone is hoping he keeps the color — much like Zach’s. We had a good time, and Poppy seemed to enjoy everything.
I built this play fridge for Caleb and Owen — an addition to the kitchen set they received for Christmas. I hope they have as much fun playing with it as I had building it.
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