Year 5, Day 302

As usual, Christmas brings with it a return to my boyhood home in Myrtle Beach. Even with a drive that took far longer than it should have (with the inclusion this year of a dog), Miles was all smiles as he walked up to the door of my parents' house last night. I was sort … Continue reading Year 5, Day 302 →

Year 5, Day 270

"Look at this card I made for Papa!" Miles said this morning, in yet another one of his attempts to delay leaving for school. And he knew it would work, because I'm always interested in seeing how is artistic ability is developing. ...my God. "What am I looking at here?" I asked, shaken by the … Continue reading Year 5, Day 270 →

Year 4, Day 302

After last year's COVID-related lockdown, Miles was excited about heading down to Myrtle Beach to spend Christmas with Grammy and Papa. So excited, in fact, that he helped pack his suitcase so we could get out of the house faster. NOTE: It was not helpful. As is the norm when living with a toddler, it … Continue reading Year 4, Day 302 →

Year 4, Day 274

When coming up to visit us for Thanksgiving, my dad had only one request (and no, it wasn't "Thanksgiving dinner") -- "Find somewhere we can go on a hike." Today, after much anticipation, Papa, Miles, and I went on our nature walk at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. All my dad really wants in life is … Continue reading Year 4, Day 274 →

Year 4, Day 273

In a Thanksgiving first*, we stayed home this year and hosted my parents and brother at our (yeah, still) new home. No lie -- it was nice to NOT drive for once! When I told Miles the day was starting with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he immediately asked why we weren't going to the … Continue reading Year 4, Day 273 →

Year 4, Day 189

When I was a child, one of the first magazines I held a monthly subscription to was Ranger Rick*. Unsurprising, considering that wildlife remains my father's life's passion, second only to making socially inappropriate comments in mixed company**. Well my dad has wasted no time in getting Miles on the bandwagon, recently subscribing to Ranger … Continue reading Year 4, Day 189 →

Year 4, Day 121

Sometime earlier in the week, probably Wednesday, we started talking to Miles about our weekend plans. Specifically, we were heading to Myrtle Beach for a beachside memorial in honor of Jaclyn's father, after which we'd have a party in his memory. We'd be staying with my parents, and my brother and his wife -- whom … Continue reading Year 4, Day 121 →

Year 4, Day 84

It's hard to explain death to a child. Miles is still figuring out what it means to exist; trying to rationalize ceasing to exist is impossible (not that it's much easier for adults, in all fairness). But this is where we've found ourselves this week, as Miles's Papa passed away this morning. Jaclyn left early … Continue reading Year 4, Day 84 →

Year 4, Day 2: Miles’s Third Birthday – Part 2

It's been over a year now since we last drove to Myrtle Beach to see my parents, and while video chat has helped keep my parents in Miles's life, we thought that we would make a quick trip down for his birthday. Despite the eight hours of driving it meant for me today, everyone was … Continue reading Year 4, Day 2: Miles’s Third Birthday – Part 2 →

Year 3, Day 354

Miles received a Valentine's Day card from Grammy and Papa (and Uncle Ben) today, which was exciting enough for him, but then he opened the card to find something he hadn't really seen before. Yes, within the card was a crisp new five-spot. "What this?" Miles asked, holding the bill up. "That's money," I said. … Continue reading Year 3, Day 354 →