JOURNAL: August 11, 2006

No one could have had a happier day than I had yesterday. The entire day was peaceful and productive, but I’m thinking especially of the afternoon, when I spent a few hours in Millbury with my youngest grandchild, Joshua Michael Salsich. He’s been a bit of a challenge for Luke and Krissy (he’s an expert at crying), so I drove up again yesterday to lend a helping hand, and I was the winner in that arrangement. I was lucky enough to spend three hours walking with him in the sling against my chest, playing with him while he sat in the bouncy chair, and feeding him a bottle. I felt like I was in the presence of a miracle. As he took his bottle (on and off again over a period of an hour), we stared into each other’s eyes, and, in some ways, I felt as close to a person as I ever have. It was a magical time for me. On a pleasant summer afternoon, you can have your beach or your park; I’ll take a few hours with Josh Salsich anytime.