Big Daddy's in Town

Friday May 15th Big Daddy finally made it to Australia. He came in style on the brand new S380…a state of the art experience in flying. He said it was a fantastic flight and there was definite energy to his step as we greeted him at the Melbourne airport.

It was a wonderful reunion with Missy and Wally and Baby Kate. I enjoyed seeing him hold our new granddaughter in his arms and proclaim she looked just like her mommy did at that age, as most doting grandparents tend to do. He enjoyed the tour of their Glen Iris home and later Wes took him for a little outing in the neighborhood. By 7 pm he displayed the usual jet lag posture….slumped and fighting sleep. It was after all 4 am in Texas and way past what his body said was bedtime. We all took turns trying to help him stay awake until 8 pm at which point he gave in and slept until 7 am Saturday morning. I encouraged him to go ahead and wake up…and have breakfast and check his email because it was 4 pm Friday in Texas, nearly the end of their workday. He at first didn’t believe me but at my look of “ I’m positive”, he was motivated into action.

Later he and Wes were off to the CBD for a bit of touring. They walked the streets, popping in here and there for a look and took the tram circuit of the city. It is a great way to get a bit of history and an overview. They ended up in an Irish Pub and waited on us to join them for dinner in Carlton, the Italian district of downtown Melbourne. I loved the place we finally chose and I marveled at how each restaurant had a spokesperson on the street whose purpose was to offer a free bottle of wine and appetizers to entice people to their establishment. One of the best things about Australia is that children and babies are welcome everywhere. The streets were crowded with a variety of people and among them prams and toddlers, including our little one, along for an evening with the family.

Today Big Daddy & Wes went to a Footy Game. The first big hurdle for Larry was to get past the name. It is Australian Rules football though we would view it as a combination of soccer, maybe volleyball, and the ball looks like a football. Wes assured him the Aussies were a pretty hearty bunch and indeed he did enjoy the experience.

Tomorrow we have plans to drive out to the wine valley and see the countryside and mountains. Only a week left with our sweet family and we hope to make every minute count. May your week be blessed as well.

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24