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FALL GUIDE Sonoma County It’ll be Okay by Gabriel A. Fraire ~ gafraire@comcast.net


“Daddy help.”My jaw was ach- ing, my body was depleted and now my feet were freezing. My wife was sympathetic but it was a workday for her. My older daughter is very considerate and helpful but she too was rushing toward her school departure. After they left, there we were baby and me. She smiling and as happy as happy can be and me dying from pain.


I’m stumbling along clanging dishes, opening the cereal box, getting the little one up on her booster seat.


Healdsburg, CA. ~ Once, af- ter some dental work, my jaw was in pain, and my body was stressed and


exhausted. The


next day when I heard the ear- ly morning movements of the troops, I pulled the covers over my head and pretended not to hear. Funny, how ice cold fi n- gers grabbing ones toes can re- ally get your attention.


If a parent should get sick and hear the words, “Cereal dad.” The fi rst thing to do is ring for the nanny. What? You don’t have one either. “Can you get it yourself?” I asked. But the three year old cut right to the quick.


I glance up, there is a mirror


on the wall refl ecting my face, swollen jaw, bloodshot eyes, hair a mess. And I start wonder- ing how will I make it through the day?


I sit next to my daughter my hand on the table. She reaches over places her hand on mine and says, “It’ll be okay daddy.” She made it okay.


~ Gabriel A. Fraire has been a writer more than 40 years. He is also the current Healdsburg Literary Laureate. He can be reached through his Web site at: www.gabrielfraire.com


People cannot go wrong, if you don’t let them. They cannot go


right, unless you let them. Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare


A heartfelt Thank You to All our Customers!


As the holiday season is near, we at Best Wishes! are blessed to have awesome customers who supported our fundraiser raffl e for the Valley fi re victims.


Your support to others in need is truly appreciated.


“A gift store with wonderful customers, interesting gifts, and a heartfelt interest in the community”


3080 Marlow Rd. # A8, Santa Rosa • 707-575-0145 www.facebook.com/BestWishesWineCountry


Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts. ~Charles Dickens UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • October 2015 • 9


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • October 2015 • 9


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