Papa's first night away

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I'm writing this from a hotel room in Kalamazoo.  Gladys and The Kid are safely at home, while I'm safely off the road for the night.  What was going to be a one day trip for work turned into an overnight stay, with near whiteout conditions on I-94. 

When I called Gladys to tell her I was on my way to the hotel, she put the phone on speaker so The Kid could "talk" with me.  Instead, The Kid grabbed the phone from her and tried to kiss it when I was talking.  As I talked with Gladys, The Kid kept jabbering and trying to grab the phone from her Mommy. 

I am heartbroken.  This is the first time since she's been placed with us that I haven't been able to say good night to her in person.  My reasons for stopping are sound and there will be plenty of nights in her life that I won't be able to kiss her goodnight myself, but I had hoped to delay that for just a few weeks longer. 

It is amazing how quickly The Kid has stolen my heart. 

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