On the Road

Because she'll have moved to Texas five days from now, baby celebrated her first birthday a week early with her relatives on my wife's side of the family this afternoon and evening. She was hugged, tickled, talked to, fed, and fawned over, and seemed more or less mystified by the whole affair. She was less mystified by her feelings about being in the pool at the home where the party was held. She splashed and kicked and laughed during two lengthy sessions in the water. After that, anytime she was allowed to walk with someone holding one or both of her hands over her head she walked toward the pool until being restrained.

I will not see her for four and a half days, during which time I will drive her two "dog brothers" down to our temporary home. I barely know how I will manage the separation, but a large motivation in making the move is to improve her chances in life and I will ponder that when my heart is weary and lonely on the road.