So I'm ready to post about why exactly my Spider-man review was late. Courtney and I saw the movie the morning of July 4th and I'd started formulating my review right after, intending to sit down and write it after dinner and fireworks that night. My mom, sis, aunt, and cousins came over for dinner that evening and we sat down to watch National Treasure (which seemed apropos considering the Maguffin in the movie).
As the movie wound down and the sporadic pops of fireworks started to ring out, we got the call. My dad was being rushed to the ER. We told ourselves that we wouldn't worry until there was something to worry about. In retrospect, we should have worried.
We got confirmation a couple hours later that he had passed. Just like that. He was gone. I didn't even really know how to react. Since Courtney and I were expecting, I couldn't really fly out. I was torn.
My mother and sister went to California to work out the arrangements. I flew out for 36 hours so I could attend the Vigil and Funeral, hoping I could fly back before Courtney went into labor. Fortunately, everything worked out. The services were beautiful. My dad is buried right next to my grandfather in one of the most beautiful memorial sites I've ever seen. And Courtney didn't go into labor. Awesome!
It wouldn't be until almost 2 weeks later that Courtney would go into labor. Lily Adele was born on 7/27 at 3:03am. Witnessing her birth was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I didn't think I'd be able to be in that room, let alone see the whole thing happen. I have a fairly weak stomach, you see. But there I was. In that room. Seeing the miracle of life.
And it was in that hospital room, waiting for my wife to dilate, that I finally sat and wrote the Spider-man review. Weird how 2 weeks can change your life. It took my from one end of the spectrum of life to the other. It shows that when one door closes, another one opens. One end leads to another beginning. Sometimes life is truly beautiful.
My one and only regret is that my father wasn't here to see his first grandchild. I can only hope that he was watching her birth and smiling down upon her.
You should write a one-act one-man show about your relationship with your dad that ends with the birth of Lily. Even if you don't put it on I think it would be quite cathartic. You should definitely aim to actually produce it, though.
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