Son

     Thirty two years ago my wife and I were blessed with a son. It was the speing of 1980. May 28th to be exact. Where has the time gone. Today, he is married and the father of twin boys.  He is smart and articulate and he has a heart as big as his 6' 4" frame.
     Since I first took him to work with me, at the auto repair shop, his thirst for knowledge on how machines work was beyond anything I could ever imagine.I have watched him do things with his hands that truly amaze me. He has become proficient in any job he decides to undertake.  He has been a waiter, a chef, a construction worker, a swimming pool installer and today he is a mechanical engineer.
     How proud of him his mother and I are. He never fails to be there whenever he is
needed.  He answers the call from not only us but anyone who even knows him just a little. He is always volunteering himself to assist his friends, whether it is to help them move or to fix a plumbing job.  He can always be counted on.
     Most importantly, he is a good husband and father. He provides for his family and he places them on a pedestal.  A lot of times when we do things together, like small jobs around the house, or helping me with my computer, he talks to me like I am the son. I step back and laugh and think my dad came back from the grave. He is so much like him.
Other times he is like his Mother. Real tough on the outside, but warm and tender on the inside.
     He is everything a man could want in a son. He is kind, generous, compassionate, loving, and strong.  He is without a doubt a precious gift that was bestowed on his mother and me.  We will always be thankful for him. He is truly one of God's gifts to the world.  It is a better place because he is in it.

The Wedding

It has been a week since my daughter's wedding. It was at least a year of planning and it seemed like it was over in an instant.  I waited all my life to walk her down the aisle, and I was truly blessed to have the chance.  The wedding wasn't what I knew as a traditional
ceremony, but it was so beautiful and extravagant right down to the last detail.  I can honestly say my daughter has learned her trade very well. All the years she has worked in the wedding business has paid off. Her wedding was something out of a hollywood movie. She had everything scripted right down to the last hors d' ouevers.
The weather on the day of the wedding was beautiful. You couldn't ask for a better day. Blue skies and sunshine, low humidity and the temperature in the low seventys.
That morning I didn't have much to do, I spent the day doing small errands for my wife.
I went into the Village for lunch with my future son-in-law and my son.  When we returned, I went and sat down in the gazebo by the water fountain and small pond. It was
cool and relaxing. I took a nice nap. I spent most of my time there reminiscing about Christa and the things we did when she was young. I wouldn't say we had a "Father knows Best" relationship, but there were plenty of times when she came for my advice and of course I gave it.  Sometimes she listened and took the advice, other times she didn't. I don't ever remember telling her I told you so.
     Soon it was time to get ready and I was allowed to go into her room to see her.  I was in awe. She was beautiful. Her life from the time she was born to that very moment flashed before my eyes.  The first time I held her, I knew if I never had a dollar I would still be a rich man.  After taking some pictures it was time to walk down the aisle. I would like to tell you what I was thinking but my mind was blank. The time I had been waiting for was upon me and I was dumbfounded.  A lot of emotion started building inside of me, I thought I was going to cry. When we reached the minister and Charlie, I looked up and noticed Charlie had tears in his eyes. I knew then I couldn't start crying.
I looked at Christa and saw the gleam in her eyes. When the minister said "Who gives this woman" I didn't choke. I said I do.  I kissed her on the cheek and shook Charlie's hand, I think I said take care of her she is yours now. I turned and walked to my seat next to my wife and proceeded to watch the ceremony.  Christa and Charlie looked so happy, and they look like the perfect couple.  I know her heart belongs to someone else now but she will always be part of mine and I will always feel like a rich man when she is around.