Category: Family

My wingman got married on May 23, 1969.  He celebrated his twenty-second birthday  four days later, and I followed him on the 29th.  That was fifty-one years ago. That wasn’t the only thing that happened that summer.  The biggies in my mind were 400,000 people attended the Woodstock Music Festival, a concert in a New …

Mitch is my oldest friend.  We met in 1951 or 52 at the fire hydrant fifty feet from my driveway.  He wandered around the block, and I was standing atop my usual perch, surveying the neighborhood.  We met, exchanged a few words, and have been friends ever since.  That’s my first official memory. We served …

The Walker family moved to Rochester, Michigan and lived in a house on a hill.  I believe they moved because of Uncle Jack’s job.  It was either that or Aunt Emma simply wanted a different house.  The place in Washington was vintage.  The Rochester home was new.  I don’t know how long they lived there, …

That’s how my mom referred to Diane, Elizabeth and Ruth Ellen.  They were “The Walker Girls”, the three children of Mom’s youngest uncle, Jack Walker, and his wife, Emma.  Mom’s mother, Margaret, was the oldest of the clan.  She was born in 1899.  Jack’s given name was John, but everyone called him Jack.  He was …

A kissing cousin is, by definition, a distant relative known well enough to kiss when greeting.  For example:  I’m not sure exactly how I’m related to her, she’s just a kissing cousin. When I was a young boy, 0 – 12, my dad expanded my kissing requirement to any, and all, females related to me. …

The first time I remember anyone speaking with me about my sister, Sharron’s, age was when I was about five.  My parents had visitors at our house and one of the ladies asked who the oldest child was.   Sharron was already in bed so there was no visual comparison to make. I spoke up …

My three children, their spouses, and now my two grandchildren, have chosen to take part in a myriad of activities. They’re athletes, musicians, singers, dancers, thespians, and orators. I’ve attended many events, and while there have been numerous others participating, I focused on the members of my family. I wanted them to do their best …

MRNA turned 73 yesterday.  MRNA is Ruth’s self proclaimed nickname.  It stands for Mom, Ruth, Nana, Altogether.  This is my favorite time of the year because for 48 days, four dozen days if you prefer, she’s a year older than me.  For the statisticians out there, that computes to … 4,147,200 seconds 69,120 minutes 1,152 …

I’ve had the opportunity to offer up several “toasts” at a dinner.  My first took place when I was eighteen.  I was the best man at my cousin, Gene’s, wedding.  Another followed when I was about to turn twenty-two and served as best man for my friend, Mitch.   I was in my late forties …

I never believed in love at first sight until your dad was born.  The moment I saw him, I loved him.  I felt the same way when your Aunt BZ and Uncle Mike were born.  The fourth time I was overwhelmed like that was with Brady’s birth.   The last time was the moment I …