I was supposed to bring a P.A. system and rig up my IPod to have some tunes playing as background to the events of the afternoon, but due to the dramatics of getting 6 people (3 who are younger than 5 years) ready, I brought all the heavy equipment but left the tunes on the counter at home. I also planned to have a microphone to hook up to the P.A. so people could stand up and say a few words. I also thought about saying a few words, myself, if the opportunity presented itself, and if I did, they'd probably go something like this:
I had a hard time when Mom passed away, as I am sure Dad, John, Dave, as well as every one of her family and friends did, too. I could not imagine life without my mother and father, married and in our lives. If I could not have the ideal situation, I wanted Dad to be "Papi" to my babies, living in his condo in Naperville, just down the street. I wanted this forever.
When my Dad began dating, I, again, had a hard time because I had not moved on, yet. I understood that what I felt was immature and selfish, but I could do nothing about it. I tried. When he began dating Mary exclusively, I pouted again. I struggled with what I was feeling, and felt horribly unfair to both Dad and Mary, even though I found it quite easy to be around them and genuinely enjoy their company. How could I not? Dad simply beams when he is with Mary. I could clearly see that they were happy, and after a short while, I was relieved to feel that I was warming to the idea. Mary's family had been wonderfully hospitable to our family. Jim and Patrice invited us into their home many times for St. Patrick's Day and Easter and other celebrations. Our children, especially Aidan, warmed to Mary, inviting her into his play world whenever she and Dad came by to visit. Soon, the excitement the kids expressed over "Papi and Mary" coming to visit (or having the boys over to spend the night) sounded much better to me than when I wanted it to be just "Papi" living lonely for my selfish wishes.
So today, we are all here celebrating this milestone in Dad's and Mary's life, but we are also celebrating our own good fortune. We've each gained an entire family of wonderful people. To Mary's family, welcome to the fray! Jump in! It's the only way to do it! I can't imagine a better way to spend this day! Raise your glasses.
May the roof above you never fall in,
And those gathered beneath it never fall out.
Sláinte!
Believe it or not, between chasing our little monkeys all over the VFW Hall, we were able to snap a few pictures of our family. Please, if anyone has more pictures from the event, SHARE THEM WITH ME: daniel.ridges@yahoo.com
Please enjoy ours:
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