Cold Morning

After my wonderful visit with my two dear friends, I completed my writing for the day. Then I found my way to the television room to watch the New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers football game. The perfect Patriots showed some cracks in their armor over the two previous weeks. Well, they seemed to seal those cracks as they dismantled the Steelers. The first half was competitive, but the Patriots took charge in the second half to win the game by 21 points. I most certainly watched the game as a fan, and I also observed the guys around me who were also watching the game. Strangely, there seemed to be more guys rooting for Steelers than the Patriots. I guess the Patriots have that “love ‘em or hate ‘em” with people. I guess I would put myself in the I-am-very-impressed-with-the-Patriots category. I haven’t seen a team like them in a very long time. The only team which comes to mind was the 1990 Buffalo Bills who went to the Super Bowl and played the New York Giants. The Bills had the complete team and seemed to be a cinch to win the Super Bowl; however, the New York Giants played the perfect game. Even though they played a perfect game, the Bills had a chance to win on a late field goal. Their kicker missed the 47 yarder, and the Giants won by one point (20-19). I do believe in order to beat the Patriots the opposing team must play that perfect game. The Patriots are that good, and the only team capable of beating them is the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, another team could play that perfect game, and who knows what may happen. The Patriots could win all their games without a loss. The only time that happened was 35 years ago when the 1972 Miami Dolphins went 14-0 and won the Super Bowl. As fate would have it, the Miami Dolphins are winless this year while the Patriots are undefeated.

It was a good way to spend a cold afternoon watching the football game. As the game neared completion, I walked over to the telephone so I could call my mother. I called my mother so I could speak with my children. My mother was watching them because they didn’t have any school today. This gave my wife a break, and the children enjoy going to my mother’s house. I did speak with both my daughter and son. My daughter had informed that she lost yet another tooth (her 14th – funny, I thought children only had 12 “baby” teeth. It looks like I was wrong because my daughter kept track) and received one dollar from the Tooth Fairy. My daughter had written the Tooth Fairy a note as she set her previous lost tooth under her pillow. The Tooth Fairy answered her questions, and my daughter remarked to my wife how the Tooth Fairy’s handwriting was very much like hers. Hmmm, my daughter is 9 years old, soon to be 10 in February, and I wonder if her days of the Tooth Fairy, Santa, and the Easter Bunny are numbered. My goodness, they grow up so quickly, and I wish they could keep their innocence forever. Yes, these are the times when I wish I could wrap my arms around both my daughter and son. I would love to hold them right now, and I’m not sure if I would ever let them go! My hugs are coming soon, and I do hope I get to see them very soon after my release.

I have been thinking about my release day quite a bit. Sure, there is a cloud of uncertainty, but really, what else is new?? I have grown accustomed to this air of uncertainty and may not know how to deal with real certainty. Yes, I have many questions that cannot be answered right now. These questions will be answered in due time, and I know everything will work out for the very best. I do know my release date is February 27th, and from that point forward, I should have sure answers as to when I can see my children. I am a very patient person (thank God!), and that embrace with my children will happen very soon.

After speaking with my daughter, I spoke with my son who was playing football (inside the house mind you!) with his step-grandfather. I could hear the yelling in the background as I spoke with my daughter. My son came to the telephone breathing heavily, and he was all excited. He was having a great time at my mother’s house, and I could hear it in his voice. He told me about his basketball game where he “swished” a basket. I loved how my son described his basket as he said, “the basketball went right in, swish, without touching anything. My son, who is six years old soon to be seven also in February, is so full of exuberance. He loves to play sports, and really as long as there is a ball involved, he is very happy. My son’s vocabulary and speech have improved dramatically from when I first started this journey some 17 months ago. It’s too bad I can’t freeze them until I return. I am certainly blessed with a wonderful family. I finished talking with my son, and I ended the telephone call while speaking with my mother. She is off to visit my sister in Colorado this week, and I wished her a great time, and I know she will have a great time.

The telephone call was over, and I returned to my room to wait for dinner. While waiting, my roommate had plenty of reading material. He had the Sunday newspaper along with all of this year’s Men’s Health magazines. This did pass the time until dinner, which was uneventful. It wasn’t the most filling of dinners. My roommate and I had some leftover vegetable soup after dinner. We ate the soup and listened to “60 Minutes” on the radio. Once again, laughter was the theme of the evening, and I went to sleep at the usual hour. The cold air is here, and I once again went with the third blanket. I had my mind made up this morning when I got up to do my normal run. Yes, it was a cold morning. There was frost along with ice on the ground. The first few laps were difficult, but once I got going, I wasn’t stopping. I needed the sweatpants along a thermal and sweatshirt. Amazingly, I worked up a very good sweat in spite of the subfreezing temperatures.

The run was over, and it was on with the usual shower, dress, breakfast, and work. Today was an inspection day, and it appears things are getting a little pickier. None of this means anything to me because I am out of here in less than three months. I will certainly abide by the rules, and if I am told to take down the pictures of my family, I will take down the pictures. Some of the other guys have been riled up over the pictures, but upon further inspection, what does it matter? The best way for me is the path of least resistance which means to abide by the rules. In less than three months, I will be able to put up as many pictures of my family that I want. I sure can’t wait for that day!