This is my Emma Jo, my precious Spaz. I love this little girl, no surprise there, but how she melts my heart is such an unusual story. You see, Spaz has bi-polar tendencies with me. One day, she might look at me like I am the anti-christ, and the next time she will accost me with so many hugs and kisses that I lose count.
I wish I had a close up picture of her face; as so often, that is how I am viewing her. Our faces are within inches of each other; and she's got the Vulcan mind meld thing going on with me. That, or she's angling for another donut, or Popsicle, or snickers, or fruit loops, or etc.
On Halloween night, I made a rare appearance and went out candy-ing with all the kiddo's in a neighborhood that would quickly drive me to the funny farm if I had to live in it; with 114,217 children under the age of 7, all living within 2 streets of each year. Kind of like 'the bronz', only BA style . . .
Spaz was dressed as a Princess.
You know what those long jump runners looked like this summer at the Olympics? Speedsters that would begin their quest by running 50 yards at full bore, and then leaping high into the air to land in the sand pit about 30' away. Well, that's what Spaz reminded me of on Halloween night. She saw me from a distance, lit out on a beeline to me, and at about 50' away (she would have shattered Carl Lewis' long jump record by more than 20'), she leaped into the air knowing that I would be there to catch her. And of course, I did. We did the face time, she gave me her incredible bear hug, and we locked lips for several great kisses. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, she was off, because after all, there was candy to be consumed.
Many times you have read about my love of being a daughter daddy, and about the special love and bond that I have with my two daughters. Well, I've been kind of in a sad funk recently for Angela (my youngest daughter), and her two daughters Monster and Spaz (aka Ava and Emma) because their Daddy is in berzerkistan for 7 more months. He's been gone for almost 2 months, and the girls have done great overall; but I know as a Daddy how much they must miss their Daddy, and he them.
So Joe, this one is for you too. I love you, miss you, and will continue to pray vigilantly for your safe and quick return. But, until that time, I got your back. I'm a good Daddy too :-).
