To the first point, humility. My mother called today, outraged at the fact that there is no auction this week. All I can say is that I tried. Robbi did an illustration for this week before she left. She slid it carefully in an acid-free archival sleeve and placed it lovingly in the Priority Mail envelope so that all I’d have to do is add an address and drop it in the mail. She left me careful, detailed instructions as to how to post the auction in her absence. I tried. I really tried. But I was defeated by Ebay and its endless menus. Now you have twice felt the scourge of her absence, as I have been feeling it every day since June 26. First with a bungled Matthew Draws and now with the indignity of no illustration to bid on this week. If my technological shortcomings have had a detrimental impact on your happiness, I heartily apologize. All I can say is that Robbi is due back on Friday. Hopefully her return will signal a resumption of the technological standards to which you have become accustomed, and which you heartily deserve.
As for the happiness, a mere 42 hours from now, I will be reunited with my family. They fly into Washington in the heart of rush hour on Friday, but traffic and is constituent hassles will be the farthest thing from my mind. All I can think of right now is a four-way bear hug. Likely Alden will have different ideas, but a father can dream.
Apparently, Kato still lacks the motor skills to thwart my plans. He still does not sit up or crawl or have any teeth, but four weeks on the tundra have transformed him from a tiny baby into a huge, fat lump of eating frenzy. Robbi suggests I might not be able to lift him. Good thing I’ve been doing all those push-ups.
So in addition to functioning auctions and proper Matthew Draws survey mechanisms, you will soon be freed from my perpetual moping about missing my people. I wonder which development pleases you more.
You have successfully upstaged four presidents with that photo. It’s a keeper.
Enjoy having all 3 of your babes home, Matthew!