I was offered an unexpected Christmas gift yesterday. My daughter Emma said she and her husband Jay wanted to give Maria and I a Christmas gift of a visit to New York the week after Christmas. They would find accommodations for us and would pay for them. We could do whatever we wished in New York, and hopefully, visit them and Robin as often as we wished. We would be staying very close to their apartment.

I was startled by this invitation, uncertain how to respond. I balked at Emma and Jay paying for us to stay somewhere, they have plenty of expenses of their own right now. I was also deeply touched when Emma said she considered this a gift to herself and to Robin, as well as to me. That  knocked me on my heels a bit.

I am learning in life that it is sometimes as important to receive as it is to give. Such a gracious and meaningful invitation should not be questioned or refused. Maria said very strongly that we should go, and I agreed. I think of a father as giving, not taking, but that is my problem.

Robin and I have connected, for sure. We just are at ease with one another, I can tap into her sense of humor and thoughtfulness. She is a ponderer. It will be nice to enter her life for a bit, and Emma’s as well. This baby has opened the door to us, we are also at ease with one another.

At first, Emma was reassuring me that Maria and I were free to come and go as we pleased, I was reassuring her that we wouldn’t over stay our welcome. Then I said it was time to move past the reassurances and get to the trust part. I know we’ll have the freedom to do what we wish, and she knows we won’t hang around too much.

Maybe, I thought, we can be helpful. People with newborn babies always need help, especially busy working people with newborn babies. We can shop, clean, change diapers. I am happiest when I am useful. I am also happy wandering around Brooklyn with a camera, it is one of the photogenic places in the world.

So I have accepted this very beautiful Christmas gift, Maria is coming also. Two days in New York the week after Christmas, lots of time with my daughter and granddaughter. Lots of brownstones and amazing faces to photograph. I am feeling the spirit of Christmas and am grateful and humbled for a gift like this