January 24, 2005
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On request of thenarrator here is a little more detail about the meeting at the counter)
You see, that day “back at the ranch” on Downey Street some kid had arrived in some way I don’t even remember who was so stoned that those of us who were permanent inhabitants found it more of a nuisance than we could deal with and, after some seriously comical detective work, we discovered that he had a cohort who worked behind the counter at a little greasy spoon in the neighborhood. I was elected to make my way there and demand that this person come relieve us of our babysitting duties. It wasn’t anything like today, where you wouldn’t hang out in a diner in a big city alone without carrying mace (or at least a loud whistle) in your pocket just in case – or maybe I wasn’t anything like today. Well, that’s a given. At any rate, when my son’s future father sat down and chatted me up, I sized him up for safe, interesting, unattached, and a touch of spiritual and we traded whereabouts information. It was a good intuition, one of my best. Although at the time he was far too young to take on fatherhood and marriage, he grew into his promise. One of those people I have always envied for their passion for a specific area of creativity and the discipline to follow it all the way through their lives, he developed over the years a track record for deep friendships with other musicians, solid professional dependability in his specialty, and though he never had any other children but our son, a talent for growing into fatherhood (and grandfatherhood) that could make up for gaps in space and time by quality connection when he could be present. Still deeply spiritual, he recently created a production called “A Context for Peace”.
Comments (6)
You were in my dream last night. There was a party and we were both there and there was a younger guy that maybe I thought of as Jane’s father. I can see the guy now but I can’t remember much else. Maybe it’s because of the pictures you posted.
Haven’t said much because I’m one of your silent readers. Just beginning to realize your power. Your words have given flight to my own imagination transporting me back to another time, another life, into memories that aren’t my own. Bless you and your courage.
Love your writing. Is Ron still in your son’s life? Ron seems to be a well-rounded man, and talented. Your sharing your life in xanga pulls people in closer–eager for the next round.
So many people drift into and out of our lives….people who were really important to us at one time or at least had a significant impact in some way. I’m glad to hear that you still have a real connection to your son’s father. That’s a very good thing. I worked with a gal who had two children with Willie Nelson, and I don’t believe either of those children wanted anything to do with him, though I think he tried to stay in contact with them from time to time. Kinda sad, really. Oh well. What do I know?
Am really enjoying your sharing. Thanks!
Thanks. After an awful day… (not personal or even really professional, just frustrating and incredibly annoying) it’s great to come back to your story, this gave me that “scene” I’d wanted indeed, and more about this significant person in your life…
From your glowing account, and not just his glowing review, he sounds like a beautiful man.