Sunthing Special

I know this sounds morbid, but ever since Memorial Day weekend when a woman got washed away in the Cuyahoga River (over by Cascade Valley) and was presumed drowned I haven’t wanted to take my kids for walks along the river. Rescuers searched and searched for the body but couldn’t find it. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone did — and I didn’t want me — or especially one of my children — to be that person. Fortunately for us, a kayaker found her body trapped by some logs yesterday. Eek. That would be SO awful.

I read an editorial in the Beacon on Father’s Day in which the writer talked about the best advice he got before he became a dad for the first time. A friend told him to “steal the baby”. What that means is that a dad has to spend time taking care of his baby in all ways, right from the beginning, even if the mom resists (hence the term “steal”). The writer said with both his sons his wife took maternity leave the first few weeks, then he took his paternity leave for the next few to do his own bonding with the baby. I once had a friend who wouldn’t let her husband ever handle the children, and boy did she regret it. She never let her husband help her in any way so the kids never felt comfortable with him, and vice versa. When, years later, she was resenting that she had to do “everything” and thought it was “time” her husband helped her with the kids she told him he could give them their baths and put them to bed. The kids flipped out because it was like their dad was a stranger. And needless to say she never felt like she could leave the kids with him; instead she relied on her mom. I’ve been very lucky with my husband. He has a sister who’s eight years younger than he is and he grew up taking care of her. He was actually more comfortable with babies than I was and for a while I deferred to his experience. Of course, I’m the “expert” in most, though not all, areas now, but only because I spend so much more time with the kids and know more of the day-to-day stuff. Still, I feel totally comfortable leaving the kids with him, even when I’ve had to be gone for several days (as long as I leave a detailed list of instructions ). It’s a good thing for all of us on all levels.

Because our schooner voyage took place early in the season, there were only eight passengers aboard (24 passengers, plus five crew, is the max). The captain told me that when the ship’s less than half full he loses money; he makes up for it, of course, when the cruise is full during high season. I wondered if he had a different attitude when he knows he’s on a money-losing cruise vs. a money-making one. I know I would. I’d be scowling at people if they took second helpings of food and just be kind of crabby in general. It’s kind of how I feel after I work in the studio all day and don’t make any sales. I enjoy doing my artwork, of course, just as the captain obviously enjoys sailing, but it’s sure a whole lot more enjoyable when you’re not losing money along the way.