Andy Smallman

Five years ago today, I was having one of my highlight days of the French sabbatical. Not only was the weather beautiful, it was opening day of the horse race season at the Nantes racetrack. Add in that the racetrack was a 10 minute walk from our front door just added to the magic of that year.

I remember the day very well (and you can, too, by visiting this blog entry I wrote five years ago today). It was a typical Tuesday in that I went with Ella to her school, walked home, and then bided my time as I waited for the right time to head to the track. When I finally decided to leave, I brought along my camera and took a bunch of pictures (so many that my photo archive for the sabbatical includes a special file of photos from this day). I walked along the exterior fence and soon came to where the horses had arrived and were being stabled for the day. I got more and more excited. Reaching the front gate, I paid my way in and then reveled in the glory of spending a day at the races.

In my daily sabbatical blog entries I followed the protocol of posting only a single image each day. I have no such restriction now, hence a slew of photos from back then.

On a side note to Christine and Bérnard, opening up this photo archive presented an opportunity tonight to reminisce with Celeste over some photos of her and your house. Look for some of those to appear here soon.

Our little girls are all grown up, at least by American age standards. And last night they had dinner together in Portland, along with Chloe’s boyfriend, Alex. The reason for them getting together is a pretty sad one, however. One of Chloe’s close friends from college, a young man named Tyler, died tragically in a climbing accident three weeks ago. His family is from Portland and yesterday they held a special celebration of his life just outside of town. Chloe and Alex drove down to be part of it, and were able to have dinner with Ella. They then hustled back up I-5 in the dark of night to get back to Seattle. That’s a lot of driving in one day.

This particular photo, which was sent to Melinda via text, touched me in a profound way. Seeing my daughters spend time together as adults is a gratifying thing. And hearing Chloe talk about how impressed she is with Ella, despite the mountain of dirty dishes in her kitchen sink, is also pretty special.

What’s this? My brother is a grandfather? Deb is a grandmother? How can this be?

What does that make me? A great uncle, that’s what. Well, that makes some sense, at least. The part about me being great.

Indeed, Jessica, Steve’s & Deb’s daughter, Melinda’s and my niece, granddaughter to Carib and Al, gave birth early this morning to Carina Jade. Quoting her email-savvy mother, “She arrived officially on Oct 9 at 12:46am, at 6lb 10.5oz and 19 inches long.”

I’m already thinking what should be on Carina Jade’s birthday music mix. Maybe a little Mississippi John Hurt? Uncle Nick, you have to make the official mix. But as the great uncle, I get to make the better mix.

You know, the great one.