It scares me a bit, because he has started sharing stories and memories like this one all the time. It is as if he is reflecting on his entire past life and wrapping it up, which makes me incredibly sad. He is the wisest and, in addition to my dad, the best man I know. He possesses the strongest morals and character and is a wonderful example of true manhood. Even with my Grandma's staunch faith, he has never felt the draw to Catholicism. It is a conundrum to me. I suppose it will be explained in heaven.
Anywho, I just wanted to share some of Grampy's reflections on life. He calls it fun, but read joy and blessings in his words. Love you!
"In the dentist chair for two hours the other day I decided to review fun things in my life. By definition happy times would mean carefree.
As a young child on Richard Avenue life was full of fun things in the neighborhood. We had rubber gun wars with the next-door neighbors. We had secret clubhouses in the corner of our yard.
Lots of activities outside that included sleeping outside on cots and sleeping out on top of a pagola.We had a couple of old garage doors ,put cushions to sleep on.We were probably 8 feet off the ground and away from the bugs
A lot of action with the neighborhood kids ,my brother ,my brothers friends et cetera. From the beginning of summer to September we were mostly barefoot and out running around ;lots of freedom.
As I grew up most of my happiest times were around the water or in the mountains.
Of course i had fun in New Jersey where I met Mary. later years we went to Cape Cod ,Long Island sound , lake Quassapaug ;.some bluefish trips on Long Island sound and Cape Cod. Always the ocean and lakes seem to appeal to my free ,fun self.
The mountains were also a big plus for me. Our first ski trip in Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh was a blast.Our Jones &laughlin trainees coming down the mountain with no lessons or training. Later my honeymoon with Mary in New York State sking and the bobsled run. Southington Mountain in Connecticut was a great training ground for the entire family. Then we would go to Vermont for a long weekend to the large mountain skiing. Lots of excitement with the ice patches in Vermont.
Later Colorado and New Mexico were great skiing trips with the boys. Later Mary and I took several trips to mountains both in the United States and in Canada.
In the mountains I always felt close to God
Another fun time for me was various church events and retreats at unity Village Missouri and one retreat to Wisconsin ,when I was in Chicago. Again most of these help me feel close to God and to my spiritual self.
In looking back of my life there's been a lot of fun times. Most of the not so good times are pretty much faded away from my memory.
Of course the happiest time that was not carefree was my family life. The joy and excitement of being a newly married husband to Mary was wonderful. We had fun times with friends and family in New York. Playland free passes ,free theater tickets ,were a treat as well as vacations to Davis Park Long Island New York. Trips into New York City Was great. The joy of our first three children. Our first house on Bayberry Road. The people we knew in Cheshire were great. The birth of our daughter was a blessed event.
Obviously the people part of my life has been the most important and fulfilling. Especially the grandchildren
The grandchildren were fun to be with and let somebody else be responsible for the discipline et cetera. I believe God gave us grandchildren for a reward for some of the other years that we're not always so much fun.
The above things were going through my mind while the Doctor was having her fun on my root canal. "
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