GeekForce

…Nathaniel loves her right back, and I love them both.

Nathaniel, my first son, reported to the United States Army Basic Training this afternoon at Fort Jackson, SC.   He’s probably getting poked and prodded in the delightful Army physical that all fine soldiers endure with nary a nod or a wink. 

Gabby, his main squeeze, and I went down to the Drury Inn in downtown StL last night to say our good-byes.

My good-bye was old fashioned.  First came a firm handshake.   Second came a more firm hug.  I reckon one or two more followed shortly thereafter.

Gabby’s good-bye was more private, as a lady like her deserves.  My young people stepped away while I chatted with another boxing fan down in the lobby.   We saw a reply of Buster Douglass’s major hook that dropped Tyson down to Earth. 

Meanwhile, while this drama ensured, Gabby came back down for her ride back to her apartment.  She’s a remarkable lady who’s solely held down a crib all on her own since she turned seventeen….her crib is NOT in a seedy neighborhood, either.  An older couple in the unit across the hall help keep an eye on things.

I told Gabby she was terrific for putting up with Nathaniel.  She explained that it was even better that he put up with her. 

I’d say, then, that the couple’s rudimentary grasp of how things go together is right on target.

 She says she’s going to wait for him.

I say (to you but not yet to her) that our country’s greatest and most enduring couples started exactly this way.   I offer my parents as an example.  He shipped to a god-awfully cold tendril peninsula; she worked midnights as a nurse in forlorn Indiana somewhere, probably every BIT as god-forsaken as early-50’s Korea.  It worked, still works, and will work forever with these two. Fifty-five years is beyond what’s considered possible for young people born in the ’80s (or 70s, or 60s..). 

Lawd, as I get goosebumps, I share and remain true, I feeling like singing:

GOOD LUCK, NATHANIEL!  I’M PROUD OF YOU AND I LOVE YOU!