One of the things I was able to do during this interregnum was visit my parents, John (called Jack) and Agnes Jane ( called Jane), frequently. This was a real bonus for me. Living apart for so many years, I could only keep in touch by phone or mail, plus the occasional wintertime vacation visits to Florida. Beginning in '73, I wrote to them every week, with the latest family news, as sort of a "tie that binds," if you will.
Dad retired in 1956, in New Jersey. He and Mom bought a small house in Hollywood, Florida, in the neighborhood where mother's three sisters and spouses were living. I was so glad to see them make this move because it brought them close together again - a reminder of those early years in the century when, one by one, they left Ireland and settled on our east coast.
After about twenty-six years of living in Florida, with summertime visits to New Jersey, they decided to return north, permanently. My sister located an apartment close to her, which was a blessing. They were so happy to be near family and their extended family (I had 32 cousins) for family reunions.
This closeness allowed me to watch them carefully for signs of slowing down, which began about one year after their relocation.. How thankful I was to be on hand to make the right decisions that would insure their happiness with proper care.
More, later.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
HONEYMOON ON HOLD
While I was contemplating a line-up of future blogs, it dawned on me that there was a space of about 4 years (March, '84 until April, '88), where I did little or no reporting about my interaction with my family. So, I decided to put the honeymoon story on hold and work on some "family happenings" during this period.
CAR FOR SALE (cheep!)
After dear wife's death there was no need for me to have two cars so I sold my AMC Gremlin to the MBC youth pastor for $1.00, as his growing family could use a second car. I took the car to the church and reminded him that he needed to get his own plates, but that I would leave mine on the car until he could get to the DMV and make the change, then destroy my plates. That was A BIG MISTAKE. About one month later I got a "greetings" from the Washington, D.C. police, with a ticket for overtime parking. Soooooo, I took the ticket and went to the pastor's house. There was my former car, sitting there with MY PLATES on it. After a short lecture on responsibility, he and I got into the Gremlin and went to the DMV where I paid for his new plates. On the spot, we made the change and I took my old plates home. He was left with the ticket to pay, so , the car actually cost him $36.00!!!
More, later.
CAR FOR SALE (cheep!)
After dear wife's death there was no need for me to have two cars so I sold my AMC Gremlin to the MBC youth pastor for $1.00, as his growing family could use a second car. I took the car to the church and reminded him that he needed to get his own plates, but that I would leave mine on the car until he could get to the DMV and make the change, then destroy my plates. That was A BIG MISTAKE. About one month later I got a "greetings" from the Washington, D.C. police, with a ticket for overtime parking. Soooooo, I took the ticket and went to the pastor's house. There was my former car, sitting there with MY PLATES on it. After a short lecture on responsibility, he and I got into the Gremlin and went to the DMV where I paid for his new plates. On the spot, we made the change and I took my old plates home. He was left with the ticket to pay, so , the car actually cost him $36.00!!!
More, later.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
HONEYMOONING ON THE OLD SOD
Our flight from New York City to Shannon, Ireland, went smoothly. Our first views of the country showed plenty of green which was expected. As I mentioned in my previous blog (ALLRIGHT, ALREADY), May 1, 1988 proved to be a VERY UNUSUAL DAY!
We landed smoothly at Shannon Airport, but OUR LUGGAGE WENT TO DUBLIN! "No problem," said the Aer Lingus staff, "We'll have it here in a jiffy." Sure. So, after getting minimal instruction on how to drive on the left side of the road, we headed for Dromoland Castle, an hour's drive away.
What a beautiful castle and what a warm welcome we received. We rested in front of our first peat fire before getting to our room. That evening we had a fine Irish seafood dinner - and off to bed IN OUR UNDIES!! My luggage arrived the next morning and dear wife's the same evening.
Our dinnertime entertainment was a young colleen named Maureen, who played the harp and sang Irish melodies. At sixteen years of age she was saving money for her college education. She had interest in the history of the Irish Brigade (U.S. Civil War), so when I arrived home, I sent her some Civil War sheet music.
After breakfast the next morning, and with a fine mist falling, we donned raincoats for a walk in the beautiful gardens. Emmon the gardner greeted us with "It's a beautiful soft morning, isn't it?" We were in Ireland for sure.
More, later.
We landed smoothly at Shannon Airport, but OUR LUGGAGE WENT TO DUBLIN! "No problem," said the Aer Lingus staff, "We'll have it here in a jiffy." Sure. So, after getting minimal instruction on how to drive on the left side of the road, we headed for Dromoland Castle, an hour's drive away.
What a beautiful castle and what a warm welcome we received. We rested in front of our first peat fire before getting to our room. That evening we had a fine Irish seafood dinner - and off to bed IN OUR UNDIES!! My luggage arrived the next morning and dear wife's the same evening.
Our dinnertime entertainment was a young colleen named Maureen, who played the harp and sang Irish melodies. At sixteen years of age she was saving money for her college education. She had interest in the history of the Irish Brigade (U.S. Civil War), so when I arrived home, I sent her some Civil War sheet music.
After breakfast the next morning, and with a fine mist falling, we donned raincoats for a walk in the beautiful gardens. Emmon the gardner greeted us with "It's a beautiful soft morning, isn't it?" We were in Ireland for sure.
More, later.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
ALLRIGHT ALREADY *
Bowing to the wishes of my reading public (aka the fam), I will continue my storytelling, but on a more limited basis. O.K.?
APRIL 30, 1988
The BIG DAY was here. Henry and Joy were united in marriage at the Huguenot Road Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Co-pastors, Lon Solomon (McLean Bible Church, Virginia) and John Ware (Hillcrest Baptist Church - Oklahoma) officiated at the ceremony.
Having sold my home in McLean, Virginia, I moved in with dear daughter for two and one half months, with all of my furniture, which became her furniture.
Joy planned the wedding/reception and I planned our three-week honeymoon trip to Ireland.
April 30th was a beautifully sunny Saturday. Our wedding party consisted of our five grandchildren. Joy was able to find four matching dresses for the girls, who carried flowers, while our grandson, the ring bearer, looked handsome in his blazer and trousers.
Everything went off without a hitch. The buffet and cake were beautiful and our time at the microphone, wearing our Irish headpieces, was a blast.
Our Oklahoma children drove us to the Richmond airport where we enplaned to Ireland, via New York City.
May the first was a VERY UNUSUAL DAY, to say the least.
More, later.
* A Jewish expression meaning: O.K., I heard you, and I'ill do it (or, I agree).
APRIL 30, 1988
The BIG DAY was here. Henry and Joy were united in marriage at the Huguenot Road Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. Co-pastors, Lon Solomon (McLean Bible Church, Virginia) and John Ware (Hillcrest Baptist Church - Oklahoma) officiated at the ceremony.
Having sold my home in McLean, Virginia, I moved in with dear daughter for two and one half months, with all of my furniture, which became her furniture.
Joy planned the wedding/reception and I planned our three-week honeymoon trip to Ireland.
April 30th was a beautifully sunny Saturday. Our wedding party consisted of our five grandchildren. Joy was able to find four matching dresses for the girls, who carried flowers, while our grandson, the ring bearer, looked handsome in his blazer and trousers.
Everything went off without a hitch. The buffet and cake were beautiful and our time at the microphone, wearing our Irish headpieces, was a blast.
Our Oklahoma children drove us to the Richmond airport where we enplaned to Ireland, via New York City.
May the first was a VERY UNUSUAL DAY, to say the least.
More, later.
* A Jewish expression meaning: O.K., I heard you, and I'ill do it (or, I agree).
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