Ali reads my blog most days, and he called me up the other day and said. “the soccer boys would like to come to Cambridge, and come  say hello to Mr. Gulley.” They read that he was sick – he has inoperable brain  cancer – and they want to come see him.

They remember how good Ed was to these kids when they came to tour his farm last summer and see him milk his cows. They wanted to say hello.

I was touched by the gesture, and Ed said he would love to see these kids again. So they are coming Saturday from Albany. I was touched by their thoughtfulness, these children have enormous empathy for the elderly and people who suffer, they know what it feels like.

They have a particular respect for older people, they all remember their “grandmas and grandpas,” most of whom are gone or out of reach. They miss them.

I have this fantasy about offering these children perfect days when they come here, they are so kind and thoughtful and generous with one another, with me, with Ali. So I am scrambling to put a perfect day together for them on Saturday. They need some perfect days.

The kids are coming in our new Odyssey van (not actually new but in great shape).

First, I ordered them some color headbands to wear while they practice for soccer games. I think they are pretty wild and I think they’ll love them.

Then, I’m buying them lunch at the Round House Cafe.

Then, we’ll stop at the Mansion and say hello there for a few minutes.

Then, we’re going to Battenkill Books where each kid will get to pick out a book – text, stickers, photos for them or a brother and sister..

Then, they’ll go see Ed Gulley at Bejosh Farm. Ed is excited to be seeing them.

Then, they’ll either come back to Bedlam Farm and see Red herd the sheep and walk and hike out in our woods with Maria or they’ll go to Pompanuck and hike in the woods there. (I’ve cancelled my Saturday morning writing workshop.) Maria is the hike leader, Fate is the scout.

These are all things they love. The new team, with my enthusiastic blessing, is changing its name from the Bedlam Farm Warriors to the Albany Warriors. The first name always made me nervous.

The weather looks great, high 72, sun mixed with clouds. I’m excited.

They are giving us a gift by visiting, we hope to give them gifts in  return. I hope its as close to a perfect day as it can get.