Last night we went to visit Papa. As we were going in, Nathan was going out. I decided to stay outside with Nathan because I don't see him as much as I used to. By the time I turned around he was already kneeling beside his Acura applying to one of the rims, of all things, Armor All. We had already exhausted the general pleasantries and [déjà vu just began] he immediately said, "Man, my girlfriend and I broke up." There was a brief silence. "We'd been together for two years." It hit me that when Sam and I broke up (also having been together for two years) he was the first person I saw other than my immediate family. I tried to [the déjà vu just ended] comfort him as best I could. I think I faired well. The description of his reaction and current feelings was nearly an exact match for mine seventeen months ago. I love my cousins as if they were brothers. I hated to see him that way; I could tell he had really been hurt, and still does. From his comments, though, I know he's getting back to normal. I made it clear that if he ever feels that way again, about anything, he could always come to see me. And to end this paragraph on a bit of sentimentality, that goes for any of you. I hear the collective "aww".

After conversing for twenty-five minutes or so he had to leave. I went in and found my place on the couch beside my brother and directly across from Papa (as I and rest the grandchildren lovingly refer to him). I love visiting him. I could sit on that old, familiar couch for hours just listening to him talk. I've said before, and surely I will again, that I love the past. So, hearing family events prior to my arrival interests me greatly. He told me of the time shortly after Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Before the news had become common knowledge an acquaintance of his remarked something similar to, "They bombed Pearl Harbor? Who is she?" I found that funny.