We had a near fatal experience at Central Park today.

After a late start to the day and a visit from “Aunt Amanda” who has been such a good friend – she gave us the idea to put a wipe over Nathan’s nether region to thwart his almost ritualistic stream of urine with each diaper change - we finally made our way to the park. Jane and I bought an ice cream cone from Captain Softee on the corner of 5th avenue and 72nd, and meandered to the sheep’s meadow.

The park was truly alive today. The lilacs are on the wane, but the azaleas are in full bloom now. The meadow was absolutely packed as it tends to be on gorgeous weekend days, but we were able to set up “camp” in our customary spot under the London Planes on the southeastern end of the sheep’s meadow. Now that spring has sprung the trees offer a nice bit of shade from the mid-day sun, and it’s a slightly elevated area of the park that affords a panoramic view of all the Frisbee throwing, football tossing, kite flying, soccer ball kicking and of course couples necking. As is his way when we head outside, Nathan slept most of the time. Jane had a challenge waking him to nurse briefly and he quickly fell back to sleep for most of the afternoon.

Before packing up to head home, my bladder decided it couldn’t wait the 20 minute walk to home, so I made my way over the sheep’s meadow café to use the restroom. On the walk there, the wind picked up, the light grew dim and the temperature dropped noticeably as the beginning of a front made its way over the park. The lack of any recent rain caused dust swirls and the pollen falling from the newly leaved oak and elm trees made it almost look as if it were snowing. Back at “camp” I found Jane and Nathan surrounded by several branches. Apparently, my son after surviving being vacuumed out, jaundice and the follies of his neophyte parents, he came very close to being clubbed to death by a falling branch. Thankfully, we had him in his car seat with the sunshade up which deflected the blow.