Day and Night: Reflections on a Tuesday with Company, Friendships, Cousins, and New News. Mt. Pleasant is in Transition

 

Morning

There's something comical knowing that Mark's daughters are both in high school, on a college tour circuit, and we were supposed to get brunch but, as teenagers, they weren't ready until 11:30 a.m., so Mark went by himself. Still, they stopped by with Wyatt, hung out in the sunny backyard, caught up, and were absolutely joyful to be around. Zola and Nezi are definitely young adults now, and Papa Crandall has his hands full (as any parent of teenagers). 

They left for Providence, and I immediately jumped on to interviews, meetings, and then teaching. Glamis loved the company. She and Wyatt played for a long time in the backyard and it seems to kick some spunk back into her. 

After classes, at 7 pm, I picked up my high school friend, Melanie, and we got her daughter from Fairfield and ventured to eat at Centro (delicious). It's actually the location I was brought to when I interviewed here - and it was nice to pay them back for the dinner they treated me and Chitunga to on their last visit. I had pan-seared scallops in cheesy risotto with asparagus. I win. It was delicious. I haven't eaten that good in a while. It's also wonderful, too, because Melanie got her doctorate at Syracuse and knows all the people in my old stomping ground (she works there, too). Of course, she also married Captain Northstar of my older sister's class, and I just love the way her story unfolded.

When I got home, Chitunga came downstairs to see how dinner was (he couldn't make it) and wanted to have a talk about his next steps. I've been holding him at bay for a year, because he's wanted to be on his own. I've wanted him to save money. We compromised on a year. He and his friend Roy (Julie's son, my summer co-director) found a place in Stamford where they both have jobs. It makes sense...as commuting their can take over an hour, even though it's just 25 miles away. Even the train takes that long. So, they've been hunting for the last few months and finally got a hit on an 11th floor sky rise, which seems to make them both happy. One has them looking out on the Long Island Sound, or they can have the other side which is looking out at the City of Stamford (cough cough, home of the WWE and where Jerry Springer is/was taped). It's basically an extension of NYC, much more happening than Stratford (and expensive), but perfect for two young men stepping into the world with pretty decent jobs. 

I've been the "But wait just a little longer, Dad, and he's been patient. In two weeks, if the last phase of the application goes through, he's in....and just down the street from the office he'll be working in when it opens up again. Also, great night life, young people, and a human vibe...

I asked, "But how will you do with the crowds?" He's thought of that. Already mapped the ways he can get out into nature and escape the city life. He says, "I can't afford the regions off the Hudson, but there are parks there I can go to and hike." 

Happy day on many fronts. Also, sort of sad, but in a good way. 

Evening.

I told him everything in my house has been earned and brought in over three states, as there was never weddings or bridal showers or baby showers or housewarming parties. I built this over many years (and appreciate my mom for the gift card to Pier One back when I was in KY). I continued, "Whatever you want to take with you, take it. I don't need any of this." 

He's like me. "I only need my bed and a desk to work on."

So, it's time. 

He's endured my home for a hell of a lot longer than I thought he would (and I have Covid to thank for that). I will hate not having him in the house, and will love every second of the days when he realizes what it's REALLY like to live on one's own. The best teacher is the real world...it always has been. 

I'm confident he's ready. He's still here, but I already miss him.

Glamis will, too.