grammaann's Journal

My Son-in-Law: An Appreciation
I, a single woman, phone my son-in-law to ask for a favor. “D, would you mind coming over tonight and helping me move a piece of furniture?”

“Sure,” he replies. “I’ll come by on my way home.” I am pleased at his cheerfulness, as he is responding from a comfortable chair at the library, where he is happily working on his dissertation.

D is in a good mood these days. At thirty-nine, he has just completed all his Ph.D. exams. Though single-minded about his academic pursuits, his progress has been slowed by the other parts of his life: he is the head of a family which includes a wife, six children and several animals. Pursuing interests in music, literature and art take still more time from his studies. So this success has been a long time coming.

He arrives later and makes short work of the furniture moving, even fixing my closet door, before settling down for a cup of tea.

I ask him about the exams and his plans. “You can’t imagine,” he says, “what getting over these exams means. I never have to study something just for a grade again. Now I am able to pursue my own topics as I have wanted for several years.”

D’s plans are supported by his professors and others interested in his work. After many years—I have known him for 12—his dreams are coming together.

We have a second cup of tea and he tells me the latest family news. Amazingly, he knows how each member of the family is doing and what their latest challenges and successes have been. “Suellen is happy. She has friends, loves her art and music, and was even able to play in the orchestra during the recent opera recital.” “Tonia is getting over her sickness.” Achilles, the family dog, recently had to be put down, and he reports on the children’s reaction to this tragedy. My daughter is enjoying her writing.

After he leaves, I am left with a feeling of satisfaction. Not only is D doing well, but the family is in good hands.

I sleep soundly.

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