Our time in Washington DC is rapidly drawing to a close, and there is no question that the single most meaningful thing about this trip has been the joy of seeing Kathy and her dad enjoying themselves and each other. This trip was Kathy’s idea – that we go to DC and that her dad join us – and except for the minor matters of heatstroke and sunburn, it has been a complete joy. Kathy had never been here before, and her dad hadn’t been here since the late 1970’s, so it’s been a time for discovery and rediscovery for both of them. And for Kathy and me, it’s been a chance to see again what a great guy her father is- so positive, so inquisitive, so energetic, and so warm and affable with complete strangers. Time and time again he has struck up little surprise conversations along the way – and one can see how those little moments of friendly outreach have been a refreshing and invigorating part of our experience here. Not that he prattles on and on with every stranger who crosses our path – he’s got a very good instinct for who will welcome those moments. Sometimes it’s for getting directions or a question answered- and other times it’s just to share reaction to an impressive sight – while sometimes it has just been for the sake of adding a little bit of niceness into a world which often has so little.
This has been a joy – – – and I am so glad that we did this- – – and I’m especially glad that Kathy didn’t just think about doing this or wonder about it – but DID it. Someday we will look back on this trip and this time with her dad with the most profound sort of gratitude.
pictured: Kathy and her dad at the foot of the Washington Monument. Except for the flagpole growing out of my wife’s head, I love this picture.