Ogs Cave

Alex has been gone for 6 days

ogsonoffire — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:58:26 +0000

I remember my first 10 day long summer camp when I was a Boy Scout-did I ever get homesick! Now I’m experiencing the same sense of loss and empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. He’ll be home in a few days and I am sure that we will be back to “normal” in less than 6 hours. We will see.

Alex at Skymont

ogsonoffire — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:02:25 +0000

I never thought that I would miss Alex as much as I am. He’s been at Skymont Boy Scout Camp, in Tennessee, since Saturday the 13th and won’t return until the 21st. This is by far the longest stretch that he’s been away from us. I realize his impact during his absence by the silence. He isn’t fighting with his mother all the time and complaining about the menu selection at every sitting. The joys of a 11 year old boy. Honestly though, I do miss him so. It really surprises me. These rights of passage are tough on all concerned. Sam, his 6 year old brother, wanders the house not wanting to play any of his normal games or activities. He’s even declared a moratorium on going through his brothers stuff and stealing certain items. In honor of those off at camp…..

Time to seek the adorations of pets and children

ogsonoffire — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:16:42 +0000

I’m home and anointing my id in the glow of my 6 year old’s smiling face and requests for food. Nothing like the unconditional love of a child to convince you that life is still good, that the evils of the world can be sequestered from our homes and sanctuaries. We are a fearful species and much of our day to day, as well as worldly, activities is driven by those fears. I want to protect the boys from learning those fears while at the same time teaching them to be smart enough to keep from walking off a cliff or into the grasp of someone who can harm them. That fear has a place in our evolution is of little doubt. Fear and pain are the two best educational tools that exist, when looking through the evolutionary lens. But when I sit here with Sam (my 6 year old) and discuss his day both fear and pain are far from our minds. Today we will spend our afternoon enjoying some of the other tools of evolution-the search for the pleasurable sensation of a cherry icey on a hot June day and the feel of a warm breeze in our faces as we ride home from the store. Pensacola is a good place to live and, God knows, a great place to be a kid. Although storm clouds are on our horizon, today is meant to be savored.

6/12/2009

ogsonoffire — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:00:57 +0000

I am on my way to a meeting with my staff to explain some new cost cutting measures that will be initiated by our parent hospital organization. I will then seak solace hangin with my homies at the bicycle shop. The adoration of our dogs and children often convinces us that we are better people than we really are. I will pick up my boys from their overnight and we will go for a bike ride when the day’s heat fades.