3:40pm, in my office, Phoenix, Arizona, Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Some updates: My mom flew back to Utah/Wyoming this morning. It was a nice visit. She is going to come out again for Christmas. My daughter texted me yesterday saying she had a bad day. She didn’t respond when I tried to find out what happened but apparently the principal said she has to make up time she missed while out “sick” back in September (not sure what that means but it is probably close to a week!) My wife had big meetings at her job yesterday and last night. She is still in meetings today so I haven’t gotten details. The CEO flew in from England to meet with her. For me, I got my COVID vaccine booster shot yesterday and I am dragging ass today.
Tag: daughter
The beach
4:28pm Dana Point, Saturday afternoon. I got out of Phoenix shortly after 4am and made it to Dana Point around 9:30am with the time change. My daughter has a friend who plays volleyball so she wanted to play a little when I arrived. After playing volleyball we headed down the path south of the apartment and went to the beach. I tried boogie boarding for the first time. Then the girls wanted to play more volleyball ball. Now we are back home relaxing a bit before heading out to run errands. So far it has been a good day.

beach plan
6:16pm Friday night, Arizona. Another punchy feeling day. I didn’t eat all day yesterday. When I finally had dinner last night it made me feel sick. I haven’t shaken that sensation yet so as I went to meetings around town my patience was short. Tomorrow I am taking my daughter and a friend to the beach along with the other dad. I hope I feel better by then. It has been a while since I have gone to the beach. It will be nice to be social and feel the waves again.
A friend
(I wrote this two weeks ago. Something happened with an editing error. Either I am reposting this after inadvertently unposting it or it is a duplicate) 6pm, the apartment, Arizona, Thursday evening. I am sad tonight. One of my daughters former classmates lost her dad over the weekend. I just read his obituary. It is hard to believe he is gone. I had no idea he was even sick (or that he was two years older then me). We did many activities at school together. He seemed so young, healthy and happy. My wife saw him not too long ago and said he was in failing health. Apparently he had a heart condition that couldn’t be treated. I just can’t fathom he died. He was so kind, patient and sincere. A loving father and a good man.
Friday morning
5:46am Friday morning. My wife called yesterday. She wanted to let me know our daughter had been hit in the head by a falling bowl. Though no cuts or bumps the doctor suggested “taking it easy” for a couple days. That meant they would not be traveling over the weekend. My wife wanted to know if I would like to come home. I said “yes.”
Saturday afternoon
4:53pm Saturday afternoon, Dana Point. Upon arriving in Orange County I stopped to grab my mail from the post office. Then I continued to my wife and daughters house. My daughter was excited to play a new game, my wife was finishing work before she left to run errands. I took the dog for a walk around the complex then returned to eat lunch. When I finished I felt tired, so I laid on the couch and took a nap.
Monday
7:59pm Monday night. After finishing dinner I cleaned the dishes and scrubbed the kitchen. I called my daughter to find out how school went. “Hi dad, bye dad.” Were her only words. My wife complained about money. We discussed plans for the weekend. I hung up then washed my face and brushed my teeth before crawling into bed. I read an interesting article on blues music. Then turned out the light to fall asleep.
Big day
5:49am today is a big day. The first day of school for my daughter. An important birthday. The six month mark of being in Arizona and I turn 49 1/2.
Wednesday
6:06am today is my daughters birthday. I feel terrible inside. We celebrated this weekend. She has plans today. But I still want to be with her. It was 13 years ago today, almost to the exact minute, the nurse handed her to me. Life often feels frustrating . The last thirteen years have not been easy. But when I remember that moment in the delivery room in Salt Lake City my heart floods with joy. Today will be bittersweet. I love my daughter and will be thinking about her. But work is pissing me off. I am sick of stress.
Help
6:22pm When my daughter and I returned from dinner we saw a woman across the way moving a table. Trying to be self sufficient she had placed the heavy table on a skateboard and was awkwardly rolling it down the path. The going was slow and every couple feet she needed to stop and reposition it on the board. She was going toward the car parking area that was still over a hundred feet away. “Let me help you,” I offered, jogging to catch up to her. She looked up, annoyed that she needed help but resigned to accepting it. “Thank you so much,” she replied. She was in her late forties, tall with long blonde hair that was becoming disheveled from exertion. She wore a white strapped top with a long green floral skirt covering her angular legs. Seeing that I would be occupied for a moment my daughter sat down on a nearby bench and began scrolling on her phone. The woman and I pushed the skateboard onto the grass out of the way. We each took an end of the oak table and began carrying it. As we walked my arms strained agains the weight. Sweat beaded on my forehead. The bottom of the table hit my legs and bruised my shins. I could tell she was struggling to but refused to take a break. “I am good,” she said when I offered a brief respite. We got to the parking lot. She approached a white economy car that had backed in. After opening the trunk we lifted the table over the edge and placed it face down. When we were done she thanked me again for the help. This time more effusively. I assured her it was no problem and I was happy to help. I even waved as she drove away. As I walked back to join my daughter the sun was beginning to set and the air smelled of sweet ocean salt.