My Life Sucks Less...

It started and ended as a pretty good weekend. D and I left first thing Saturday morning to spend time with my Dad and his wife down on his boat. Though I was seasick as usual, we had a pretty good time. I miss hanging out at the marina's. It is fun talking with the other boaters and watching the kids catch baitfish with their Walmart nets. I helped a gentlemen secure his large sportfisherman to the dock with an expertly placed coil on the cleat that I gradually pulled in to snug his vessel tight against the fenders.

I don't have much in common with my Dad and I often struggle with conversation. We have lots of old baggage that gets in the way of a more rewarding father-son relationship. But, I try to be a good son. That is about the best that I can do.

We are on our way back home when we decide to stop in Boston to get a bite and maybe stop by the Instituite of Contemporary Art. We are in the North End enjoying the Feast of St Anthony when J calls me on the cell phone. "There were ambulances at our neighbors house last night" he tells me. Now, I know that this particular neighbor had a party that night and I am immediately alarmed at what might have happend. After 5 different phone calls, I finally track down the details. My neighbor somehow fell out of a 2nd floor window and basically broke her back. It turns out that she is in Boston about to undergo a major operation. I tell her husband that we will join him at the hospital in a few minutes. Normally I enjoy riding the T; it generally feels adventurous. However, today I was anxious to join my neighbor awaiting the outcome of this very risky operation. Four hours later we get the news that the operation went well. Good news... However, she has a long, difficult road ahead of her as she seeks to recover from the physical and emotional trauma that will most certainly haunt her for the rest of her life.

So today, my life sucks less. Guess that makes me less unhappy.