Point of View: Actually a Great One

Well, you can’t go to heaven again, as I found out these past two weeks in Southern California. While, I’m glad to say, we did as good a job as we’ve ever done in escaping Christmas, we couldn’t escape the human condition.

I tried my damndest, but even I, who washed my hands almost continuously, and who cradled babies only under duress, could not duck the bullet.

To have been the only one to have done so would not have been commendable. I’m glad to say, then, that I too got sick, like everyone else.

And there was more good news: Not once did I worry about what was going on back at the ranch, as it were. I do confess to having read Baylis Greene’s wonderful, free-wheeling account of the East Hampton-Amityville boys basketball game shortly after our arrival in Encinitas, on our hosts’ computer, and emailed him my praise, but otherwise remained blissfully oblivious the entire time inasmuch as The Star was concerned — a “first,” I think, for me, in 47 years.

Knowing that Baylis and Craig Macnaughton, whose photos are a wonder of their own, had my back while I was away further contributed to my peace of mind.

So, at long last, I know, really know, that I am dispensable. Do you know what a freeing feeling that is? To know that you’re a wisp, on the wing to being swept away. Here a moment and then gone as others pick up the thread, not a beat missed.

I wrote recently about having won my wife’s blessing. Couple this with the fact that Baylis and Craig have my blessing, and you’ve got to agree it’s been a good year — actually, a great one.