Abby had a repair at a café in Hanover New Hampshire today, so I went along to take care of Roby. While Abby rebuilt their steam wands or paddles or something I don’t understand, we walked aimlessly around the little college town and it was absolutely lovely. It showed me precisely how much of a college town Burlington is not. 

Having a baby as cute as Roby strapped to your chest gives you a latitude I’ve never experienced. I reckon you could get away with robbing a bank with Roby as your tiny accomplice. It’s most likely that they’d just look the other way, but there’s a chance they’d throw the money at you just to celebrate her. 

Everywhere we went people smiled and laughed and nudged eachother in our direction, even places we weren’t really meant to be, like Darthmouth buildings where I oggled some antique woodworking. It gave me the confidence to waltz right in to a church playing some lovely organ music. It was being played by a young man practicing for a recital he had tomorrow, it was just me and Roby and his in-laws listening in this big beautiful church. 

With Roby you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble, everyone’s just happy to see you, even if you’re some place you shouldn’t be. 

I get it, seeing her is such a pleasure. Getting to spend time with Roby is a little theology lesson in miniature delivered in an instant and without words. 

I feel like a cheering fan every morning, even if the pre-show’s been going on since 2:00 am.