September days

About a week ago, Liberto answered the phone which rang up without any caller ID. I never answer unless the ID shows it's someone I know. Too many junk calls. Being the social person he is, Liberto always holds out the hope that an unfamiliar number might be that cousin in Wisconsin or his friend in Spain. My position on the matter is that if it IS a cousin or friend or someone with something important to say, and somehow we don't recognize their caller ID, they'll probably leave a message. I'm glad he picked up that time because it was Shawn, who said rapidly, "I can't talk long but I just wanted you to know that I'm fine, and the past two weeks has seemed like two years, well, I've got to go now." The Army only allots them 60 seconds each on the phone, I guess.

Yesterday I left the house at 7 a.m. and didn't get back until 10 p.m. It was a long day. Yesterday evening, I had sports duty for the second and last time this school year, from 6 till 10. Between the time school ended and sports duty began, I visited my homebound student to continue our lessons. I usually go on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but he had a doctor's appointment Thursday afternoon, so his mother emailed me and asked if we could rearrange the schedule. Matt is such a smart, likeable guy that going to see him after school, even when I'm tired, is a pleasure. I'm just heartbroken about what he has to go through at the age of 14: constant doctor's appointments, probably chemo, though I haven't asked for details, and isolation at home because he can't be exposed to germs because of a lowered immune system. This really gets to me. His situation is also a reminder for me to be more aware of not complaining or feeling affronted about every little nuisance in life.

The weather is cooler with temperatures in the eighties, sometimes in the seventies in the mornings. I feel the difference. This morning I sat by the koi pond to drink my coffee and read the paper, and one little brownish leaf came twirling down to the ground from high above.