Seminal – highly influential in an original way;
constituting or providing a basis for further development.
The American Heritage College Dictionary
It is 3,000 miles and various barriers of concrete, steel
and Plexiglas impeding any physical contact between myself, and the tribe that bears
my last name.
Regular access to a
telephone allows me to feel closer to my son and his beautiful family.
For example, on July 23, 2016, I experienced the celebratory
crescendo of my granddaughter’s (Tear) 4th birthday.
Now, the actual date of her born day is July
20th, but the festivities that put a smile on my face took place on
the following Saturday. And let me tell
you; I would never have thought a four year old’s birthday party could get so
“crunk.”
It was simply incredible talking to my son and his wife,
while hordes of children were enjoying themselves in pure amusement park
fashion. My inaugural G-Dad born day
song was merely an appetizer to this grand event. SMH, LOL.
Two weeks later, I was on the phone with my son while he
attended my grandson’s (Deuce) Pop Warner football game. Again, the liveliness of children in the
background helped me to feel closer to this familial experience, when the long
distance has been known to be a primary factor in excluding loved ones from
such events.
Long distance may blind the
eyes, but the heart soaks in a clear view of the cycle of life that becomes a
landmark within my family history.
My soon-to-be eight-year-old grandson loves the sport of
football. I am told he is one of the
better players on his team (The Cerittos Steelers), and he doesn’t shy away
from contact.
In a sport that is plagued
by violent contact, my chest expands with pride when his father tells me that
“Lil’ Mann” embraces every aspect of the sport.
In our postgame conversation, I asked “Lil’ Mann” if he
scored any touchdowns. Without the
slightest hint of embarrassment he replied, “No. I had some tackles.” I
wondered if he could feel my smile through the phone.
“I love you Lil’ Mann”
“I love you too.”
What a Mann!
Happy Born Day Deuce!!
Your brief existence is seminal to an old Mann who feels
much closer to you when the long distance is no longer an issue. I love you.
G-Dad
Copyright © 2016 by Leroy Elwood Mann
