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Monday Night
As I stand in the living room, I watch him sleep. So beautiful
and so innocent. It brings back that memory of now from a
long time ago in Tin Cup.
A child was sleeping that morning as I prepared to Fish in
the High Rocky’s but that morning it was not him, it was
my young daughter Robin.
This boy's Mother.
So early this day after Thanksgiving I was standing in her
living room watching our Austin sleep.
Anyone that says times do not return is just not keeping
track, because once again a very special time has caught
up with this Man now getting older.
The beauty of a child you love sleeping is nearly overwhelming
today. I know this could be the last time I watch this and I’m
thankful for getting the chance again.
You can look at a thousand sunsets, a hundred snow
covered mountains and endless crystal clear high mountain
rivers but there will never be anything that compares to
watching a child sleep.
This large home is silent. We played late last night, not
wanting to give up any of the time we had left together. But
the time always comes when you have to say "We'll do this
again tomorrow". You know inside that what you are saying
is not true and another of life's moments has ticked past.
Doing exactly the same thing twice is impossible; time gets
in the way.
So this morning, which could very well be my last with this
boy I love so much, I spend just looking.
What will his destiny be? What is this boy's fate?
Thank goodness only us older ones have those thoughts.
The boy will be dreaming about Baseball or Christmas
presents. What a wonder childhood is.
I say goodbye to my daughter Robin and pack up the
old Volvo with what little I brought for the short stay.
We hug hard and I say honey, it won't be all that long.
I feel her shaking so I hug harder. "Dad promise me"
"Promise me"
I move her back a little and with both of us all teared up
I tell her "Hon, a month or two" "Heck I'm only
4-hours away"
The old Black Volvo starts right up and I wave until I
round the corner of the street. My chest explodes; I
can't stop crying for a few miles in this flat Texas land.
When I get back to Olton I'll be packing up everything
I have and moving a long way from Texas.
Clear out to California.
I couldn't tell her, just couldn't. I'll call her before I
start the long trip to explain but I couldn't, with that
beautiful boy I love so much sleeping.
No good-byes to my Austin. I just didn't have the
strength in me.
As I drove across the flats a smile came to my face finally.
It was Monday night in Colorado once again in 1995.
With one eye on the clock and the other watching the
baby being fed dinner by his Mom I wanted her to hurry.
Hell it was Monday night and it was special. This was
my night of Football with little Austin.
Just before 7PM she finished and I picked him up out
of his Hi-chair and sang "Are you ready for Football?"
"Are you ready for Football?"
He always got that big-eyed look and giggled, then he
and I sat in my recliner to watch the game.
I explained all the action to this 8-month old boy until
he was asleep then I turned off the TV and slept with him.
No more Monday nights, but at least we were blessed
enough to have them together and I have never forgotten a one.
Sure hope, someday he remembers a Monday night or two.
Copyright
©Bobby 2004
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