Here we are, another week or month of information that we have compiled as we go through the days and nights of life. Today I would like to mention a new member of my family. No, it’s not me nor is it any of the members of my tribe that I have written about over the past 30 years or so.
It is mostly about my oldest son and the joy he gives me when he decides to make a change in his life. I write about him today because of the joy he brought into our family. Being the oldest male heir, he carries heavy responsibility. He has always made me smile when he does something that catches you by the throat. You may know him by his given name, but that is just a way we have for getting his attention. He actually answers to many names within the family, but his Christian name of Austin, or as I refer to him as Bucko. That name is what I started calling him as a child because it was my father’s name. We are big in nicknames in our household — and we try to carry on a tradition.
For purposes of this missal, I will refer to him as… well, that won’t do. The leader of this missal has heavy responsibility and he isn’t happy if we peck out something that might be cause for raised eyebrows. If you know my oldest son, you know of him as Austin. I forget why we handed him that moniker at his birth, but then I am reminded that he was named after Saint Augustine, who was a theologian and philosopher. The nurses in the hospital took one look at him and said he will be an artist or a poet or an actor. He is all those things and more.
We all thought it was fitting, and if you know him, you would know or at least guess we were correct in sticking him with that moniker. Well, if you must know, I thought it was appropriate at the time. His older sibling being a female, we wondered if they would get along. We were so happy to see that his older sister took him under her wing and showed him how to treat females. Sometimes we wondered, but even she thought it was a fun name. Although some of you might find this scribbling confusing, I will refer to the many phone calls received when he attended Mission School.
When we sent him to Palma, a school that was known for guiding the charges in their care. At the time it was a school that only dealt with boys, which had an abundance of testosterone. Brother Dunn, the Headmaster at Palma, allowed no tomfoolery about names. They taught the classes with an emphasis on communication and how to discuss any subject. I will say that educating my sons at Palma was one of the best decisions we ever made.
This brings me to the present and why I wanted to let you know of some additional changes to the Worthy household. A few months ago Austin started a new job, one that fortunately for us is still close by. It involves travel in Monterey County and I believe Santa Cruz as well. So his mother and I were happy to see the money we paid for his education was being used the way it should.
During the time he was at home, he would regale us with his travels and the people he met. Then as time goes on, he began to mention a certain young lady that he had met during the period between his travels. The name Renae was mentioned a little more each time he came home to discuss his life with his mother, his brother and your faithful scribbler.
At first the stories were of his success at his new job and then it seemed his conversations were conducted between his mother and his father (that’s me). I thought for a while that he just wanted to remind his mother how much he loved her and how he wanted so very much to succeed at his new job. Then occasionally I would hear the name Renae being mumbled when he and his mother are together.
I can’t say for sure what is being said between Austin and his mother during these secretive discussions. I know that Austin looks to his mother when things get serious. As I said, these conversations, while they are not secret, they are about the future. The only thing I remember about the father and son futures is how to gap a spark plug and keep your car running.
Renae seems to me quite a catch. I found out through my extreme investigation that she is a police officer up in the Bay Area. She also cares a great deal about her parents and if you are going to welcome a new member of a household, it seems someone who loves their parents and family is a good start.
Who knows what will become of this relationship? However, this past week Austin brought Renae to meet my wife and she gave her blessing upon this relationship.
The entire family joined this past weekend and we all approve. Having served my time as a police officer for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, I was pretty sure that if I ever needed help, Renae would be one of the first I would call, and I’m sure she would respond when and where she is needed. She cares a great deal about Austin and she cares about her family.
We can’t wait to see what happens next, but one thing is clear, our family is growing and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
God Bless.
