On a Personal Note: Simply Put, the Greatest Week of My Life

Jasmine-Cards-WS

I try not to put my personal life into the view of the community, though several people have suggested I do so to perhaps make things more personal, to allow this community to see what I am about, over and above the Vanguard, which is a creation that everyone who knows me, knows I take tremendous pride in.

I have lived a good life so far, and have had many moments of joy including the day I proposed to my wife, Cecilia, surprising her on Diamond Point in Mount Lassen State Park on June 30, 2001 and our spectacular wedding on Bastille Day 2002 in Pismo Beach.

Anyone who knows Cecilia and I knows of our love and affection for children, and through more than seven years of our marriage, we did not have any.  Through a family friend, we thought in 2009 we were going to get a little boy, but through quirks in the CPS system that did not happen.

However, that did inspire us to get our Foster License, and so on the morning of December 7, 2009 we got a call that there was a one-day-old baby girl available.  We put our name in.  So did nine other foster families.

At 1:30 pm I got the call that we were to pick up the baby at 4:30.  I quickly texted Cecilia, “Going to Woodland at 4:30 to pick up baby girl.”

She was in the middle of a hearing, trying to get a woman’s job back (she succeeded and got the woman a promotion), and she had to call time out.

December 7, 2009 was one of the coldest days I can remember in Davis, but we made our way to Woodland.  Actually, I met up with Cecilia.  I was shaking.  They were going to trust a one-day-old baby to me?

I just remember them wheeling her out, seeing that tiny little 6 pound fragile baby and nearly passing out.  That baby was Jasmine.

Foster life is never smooth, and it was a rocky road.  Her birth mother worked hard and they moved toward reunification last fall.  It was heart wrenching.  I remember the day in which I finally was overcome with emotion and broke down crying on the sofa.

It was October 23, 2010.  I was in Judge Kathleen White’s courtroom, watching the Gang Injunction Trial.  Suddenly my phone, on silent went crazy.  After three calls from the social worker, I realized that I needed to go outside and see what it was about.

Something happened, she wouldn’t tell me what, but they were ending unsupervised visits.  I had to come pick up Jasmine from CPS.

Later I would learn that there had been a police entry into the home in the early morning hours.  When I picked up Jasmine, she was not the same.  She was in shock.  She would not let us put her down for six weeks.

Over time, the situation with the birth mother deteriorated and eventually, it became clear that Jasmine would be our daughter.

Little did we realize that on October 24, 2011, we would adopt Jasmine formally, six weeks before her second birthday.  And there we were, in front of… most appropriately, Judge White, but at this point it was a mere formality.

As anyone knows, this little girl has stolen my heart and I cannot imagine life without her.  Cecilia and I are so thankful for this opportunity and so grateful to this community for their assistance.

That was Monday.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.  The office in which I write has banners and a framed newspaper headline from Mark McGwire’s 62nd homer in 1998, and hand-painted pictures of Albert Pujols and Busch Stadium.

My mother was born and raised in University City, and she met my father who was going to graduate school at Washington University.  In 1980-81 we lived in St. Louis.  I remember my first game in 1981 at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals defeating the Reds in extra innings.  I watched the World Series the next year and I was hooked.

I thought it was easy, but then came the heart-wrenching 1985 and 1987 World Series losses.  Little did I realize it would not be until 2006 when my team would win another championship.

This was not going to be the year for another title.  They lost their best pitcher in spring training.  The team couldn’t hold a lead.  They had a myriad of injuries.  They were 10.5 games out of a playoff spot in late August.

Then began one of the greatest runs in the history of baseball.  The run included a 1-0 victory in Game Five of the Division series against the best team in baseball, the Phillies, over the best pitcher in baseball.

Flash forward to Thursday.  In July I had been appointed to the Human Relations Commission, which anyone who knows the history realizes is not an insignificant thing.  On Thursday was our meeting from 6:30 to 8:30.

I DVR’d game six of the World Series, which anyone who follows baseball now knows might have been the greatest World Series game ever, and if not the greatest, at least in the mix.

Two outs in the ninth, I’m watching the game at 10:30 at night, everyone in my house in bed. Two strikes and the batter hits one to deep right but it looks like it is going to be caught and that will be the game.  Somehow it got over the head of the right fielder and I’m jumping up and down screaming, “it’s off the wall,” “it’s off the wall,” “it’s off the wall.”

I ran in to explain to Cecilia what happened, and Jasmine bounced up, takes off her pajama top and emulates my behavior!

No sooner had that happened but the Rangers re-took the lead in the 10th.  But this team would not die.  A two out, two strike single would send me into another screaming fit, and the game into the 11th.

Finally a home run over the centerfield wall – I knew he hit it well as soon as I saw the outfielder, I knew it was gone – and I was going crazy at 11:30 at night.

I had Jasmine so wound up, she could not fall asleep for another hour.  I was so wired, I don’t think I ever slept.

And I had to be up early to write the Vanguard and then had to work on our event which is next Thursday.  I spent five of the toughest hours of my life getting actual work done on Friday.

I watched the game, and compared to game six it was anti-climactic.  The impossible had happened, the Cardinals won the World Series for the 11th time in their history, but only the third time in my life.

A week that started with the adoption of my daughter on Monday ended with me celebrating a World Series title on Friday.  What a week.  And now back to work!  (BTW, she put the hat on like that in the picture, that was unprompted and unstaged).

—David M. Greenwald reporting

About The Author

David Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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15 Comments

  1. Michael Harrington

    Thanks for sharing.

    And for doing the Blog. I know it comes right out of your family time.

    Wish the Blog was active when I was on the CC from 2000-04. So much hanky-panky went without notice or correction in those days.

    Everyone: please remember to attend or give a generous donation, or hopefully both, at the Nov 3 fundraiser and event for Judicial Watch. David cannot do this alone, and he has a family to provide for.

  2. medwoman

    David

    You blog has many times brought me to an altered emotional state ! But never to tears until this morning. And I wasn’t crying over the World Series! My heartfelt congratulations to you, Cecilia, and most especially to the beautiful and delightful Jasmine who has had the good fortune to land in such a loving family. Thank you for sharing your story, and my best wishes to you all.

    Tia

  3. rusty49

    What a little cutie. You both are very blessed. Congrats on the Cardinals, I’m a Giants fan but was rooting for the Cards and loved Thursday’s come from behind victory. I knew the Rangers were done after that game, last night’s game was just a formality. Same thing happened to the Giants back in 2002 when they blew game 6 I knew they had no chance in game 7. Great week for you and many great weeks in your future with that little girl you now have, but don’t count on the Cards next year, it’s going to be all Giants. 😉

  4. biddlin

    Congratulations, David, to you and your family . Parenting is the best job in the world, with no benefits, endless hours, but the most exquisite moments of boundless joy !

  5. Fight Against Injustice

    Congratulations! I am so happy that you had such a great week. You sooooo deserve it! You give so much of your own time to help others, and it is greatly appreciated.

    I too hope many, many people come out to show their support on Thursday, Nov 3rd at your fundraising event.

    Enjoy all the good things that are coming your way.

  6. Frankly

    David: I’m very happy for you and your family. Congratulations.

    It is ironic for me that you included the TV shot of David Freese in this post about family and children. I was thinking about this young man last night and the night before.

    Up to the time I was 13 years old, I played little league. I had a 500+ batting average, would routinely pitch no-hitters and played every position except catcher. I had zero errors the last season I played and still have some scrapbook articles with the story from the local paper. I was naturally competitive and hated to lose. I remembered feeling that I had a good chance of making a career out of the game… especially considering the feedback I got for my performance and abilities. Then mental health problems hit by dad, and my parents divorced. I quit playing baseball to work and make money to help supplement what my high school educated mother could bring in. I don’t have many regrets in life except for my decision to stop playing baseball… but stuff happens.

    My two boys played little league and my youngest was a natural talent… he had been hitting fast-pitch wiffleballs over the backyard fence since he was two. However, at twelve I had to bribe him to play. He was afraid of being hit with a pitch, and if he hit a batter while pitching he would start throwing marshmallows. He just did not have that natural drive and love of the game. I made him sign a contract to say that he would never hold us, his parents, responsible for not forcing him to keep playing. At age 19, he tells me there is a little regret; however he is an accomplished musician and is pursuing that career with the same gusto I previous demonstrated for the game of baseball.

    I’m sure Davis Freese’s parents are beaming with pride over what their son accomplished. To get to that place from his early childhood, everything had to be just right… his natural talent, his drive, determination and competitive spirit… his coaching and opportunities to play… his family situation and financial support. I also beam with pride over both of my sons who have been blessed with different natural talents and capabilities.

    There is a great saying related to raising children into happy and well-functioning adults: “The days are long and the years are short”. The fact is that we do not get to write the script for what life will bring us and our children. We can only do our best providing stability for them to explore opportunities and find their way. Few will end up as fortunate as David Freese, but there are many definitions of a life well-lived.

    There is another great saying related to this… “life is what happens while we are waiting around for something better to happen”. While we are at it doing the very difficult job of raising kids, we should savor each minute of life with them. They are there and then they are gone and we don’t have the ability to rewind the clock. Just remember this when your child is throwing a big tantrum on the floor of the grocery store… watch it for a minute and think how lucky you are to get to experience this bit of life. Then calmly get to work doing the job of raising that happy and well-functioning adult.

  7. David Thompson

    Dear David and Cecilia:

    Congratulations on having Jasmine, the daughter you love. She is lucky to have two such wonderful and giving parents.

    David Thompson

  8. Sue Greenwald

    Congratulations, David and Cecilia. I can’t think of anything braver than parenting a child knowing that she may someday have to leave you. I am so happy for your beautiful, rapidly growing family.

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