Autumn 2018

I’m so pleased to report that this has really been one of the best autumns in recent memory.  Josef has been thriving, and a delightful boy–the man-to-man talk we had before school seemed to resonate.  And the thoughtful intention Rachael has put into the rhythm and quality of his days really seems to be paying dividends. Or maybe just chalk it up to turning six, but the woes of last year seem to have abated.  I can see Josef embracing his new age; it feels like he is realizing that he can make a conscious choice about how he wants to show up in the world, that his actions and attitude can have positive or negative consequences for him.  He seems to take his new age seriously and we are all appreciative.  Ever since his birth I’ve been looking forward to age six–perhaps because of my own experience of the age–and so far I am not disappointed!

Age Six will go down in history as the year when Josef cleaned his room all by himself without being asked (and did a great job!)  The year he could wait in bed until the blue lantern came on, dress himself (including a once-dreaded long underwear layer), and then come knock on our door to wake us up.  The year he could be told to take a bath and brush his teeth and get in pajamas and climb into bed, and actually do it (with mixed cleanliness results).  I never thought that such mundane activities would be such cause for rejoicing, and indeed I’m a bit sheepish to admit it.  But if you’d been around for the last few years you’d probably be popping the champagne with me.

Josef started karate in the spring, and I am proud to announce that he received his yellow belt in December.  He practiced hard and endured a surprisingly grueling test in order to be promoted.  It was heartening to see his focus and determination.  He told the teacher he brought his “indomitable spirit.”  Speaking of which, he also pulled that one out in order to complete a 5K run on Thanksgiving morning.  He ran the whole distance and finished in 2nd place for his age group.  I am very proud of him.

Now I get why parents can’t help but brag about their kids.  Sure, it’s thrilling to watch them learn to walk, to talk, to draw, and climb trees, but for the most part they are going to figure those things out simply as a matter of development.  But seeing him apply himself to accomplish a distinguished goal of his choosing is something new to me, and it fills my heart.

In October I left my job in Eugene and rolled the dice on an opportunity I could not pass up.  I acquired a very small tax practice in Corvallis and then joined forces with another CPA to form a partnership.  I now have a five minute drive to work, I can come home for lunch, pick up Josef from school, see his plays, and generally set my own schedule.  It’s a level of freedom that has been revelatory, and has made me a happier man, and a better husband and father.  Of course, tax season will probably be even more debilitating now, but I won’t be spending three nights a week in Eugene!  Being able to always have dinner with Rachael and Josef will add an element of grounding stability for all of us I’m sure.

For Josef’s sixth birthday we went up to OMSI in Portland.  He was so sweet–it was all a bit overwhelming for him.  We then went out for a fancy lunch, but had to pass on the OHSU gondola ride due to inclement weather.  The grand finale was a trip to the Lego Store where, after intense deliberation, he selected a jungle explorer set for his present.  He spent the next 3 days in a fever of obsessive Lego construction which required frequent parental intervention to get him outside in the sun.  We just had a mellow family gathering for his party, where American Dream pizza and a disgusting hamburger cake from Fred Meyer were served at his request.  We danced to Sam Cooke in the warm sunny evening.

Speaking of sun, the weather this fall was incredible.  It was so warm and sunny and dry that I actually began to feel guilty about how much I was enjoying what is no doubt a pending ecological disaster.  I never knew what the sound of crispy crunchy dry leaves was like!  We actually went camping in the middle of October, sleeping out under the stars in a bone dry field of giant sycamores.

Rachael and I took our first vacation together since 2011.  Needless to say, that was nice.  We went to the Yucatan, exploring 3 different Mayan cities and then rejuvenating ourselves at a beachfront resort.  The trip was amazing, and probably deserves its own post, so stay tuned.

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