Monday, November 13, 2006

Pipeline Upgrade Exciting changes are coming to Pipeline, as the IT department is getting a complete and badly needed overhaul.  Out, dialup!  In, cable modem.  Out, 1998 Gateway!  In, mysterious computer yet to be determined.  Out, being confined to a cave-like writing space!  In, wireless network and laptop.  Eventually. These changes will roll out over the next two weeks or so, and once in place Pipeline readers will see an increase in the number of posts (because the publishing connection will always be on, and I can post from anywhere in the house), as well as an increase in the use of links, graphics and photos.  A corresponding improvement in the quality of writing is possible, but not likely. 10:14:33 PM    Say what?[]

I Wanna Hold Your Hand In June I put an entry in my notebook to write about the way Linus always reaches out to hold my hand whenever we are walking.  Holding hands with your kids starts out as a matter of safety and parental supervision, as it still is with Lily today.  After all, kids can't run in front of cars if they are holding your hand, unless you are also running in front of a car.  But there came a point where Linus didn't need to hold our hands to be safe any more, and instead he was reaching for our hands out of some combination of habit and a need for closeness.  That probably was happening for a long time before I noticed it, as parents usually don't see things until after they happen for awhile.  It surprised me when I first noticed how instinctively he reached for my hand even after he didn't need or was told to, but I can't say I minded.  June came and went, my notebook kept filling up, and the story about Linus holding my hand never quite saw the light of day.  Then tonight Linus reached for my hand as we were walking into his swimming lessons.  He surprised me, literally grabbing my hand.  What had once been routine was now surprising.  It had been months since he reached for mine, and I was no longer in the habit of extending mine for him to grab.  The endearing symbol of childhood innocence that so touched me in June was nearly forgotten by November.  The lesson?  Stories about your kids growing up have a short shelf-life. We walked a few feet hand-in-hand, and then he raced ahead of me to try to get in the door along with some other kids in his class.  After a few feet he stopped and turned back to me to ask if it was OK if he ran ahead, and I said it was.  Yes, of course.  Run.  A boy needs to run. The cord is not completely cut yet, but every month it gets more and more frayed, as it must.  It won't be long before the life he's living is very much his own, so I savor these days when I can still see him running ahead of me on the same path, turning back to seek my approval and make sure I'm keeping up.  And sometimes still, reaching out to hold my hand along the way. 10:04:11 PM    Say what?[]

© Copyright 2006 DH. Last update: 11/18/06; 4:54:52 PM.