As you know, Will and I spent many a year longing for the magical laughter of children, and happily, the love potion, blending positive focus with plenty of patience, has blessed our family with heartfelt change for the better, delighting us, all.
Imagine eyes sparkling, spirits smiling as October's Pumpkin Days of Fall danced into view
Imagine Steven and Ravi enjoying the pumpkin patch, together
Imagine Tony ( and Ray) making Jack O'Lanterns with Barry and Marie
Imagine a Jack o'Lantern party with friends
Imagine Trick or Treat as sung by The Cradle Rockers
David, as the 'tanpire', who, (as the story goes) lays in a tanning bed instead of a coffin when the sun shines bright in hopes of enjoying his mortal sweetheart's company during the day
Ray and Tony enjoying their stash when two pairs of little legs felt too tired to ring even one more bell
Beware the big bad, Bigwheel gang (Steven, black vest, Barry, black jacket)
Imagine the Black Cat demanding treats ... or else!
Imagine hearts smiling as Ravi's first birthday enticed (David) Barry, Marie, Tony and Ray to fly in—Imagine all of us wearing Star Wars Jammies that night—Ravi, too!
Imagine Ravi enjoying sleepovers with all of us while we blew up junior aero beds
Imagine Tony, Ravi and Ray enjoying breakfast, together, at Gramma and Grampa's
Imagine three munchkins playing before dressing for Ravi's birthday party
Party time!
Imagine hearts feeling thankful as November's Festivities filled tummies with homemade goodies:
Imagine Pilgrims and Native Americans
Imagine Ravi giving thanks for finger food, at last! LOL!
Good to the last bite! (Just kidding!)
Imagine our family enjoying our very own sweet pumpkin pie for dessert
Imagine December blending a host of holiday surprises, delighting generational connectedness—Imagine menorah, Barry brought from Israel, my Grandma Ella's Shabbat candlesticks, and
Menorah made for us by Tony
Real Men make gingerbread houses and fry Latkes at Pre School
Cousins email photos back and forth
Imagine my smile reminiscing over the plan, conjured up by
Steven and one of his high school buddies, which delighted 250 of their nearest and dearest in a way that drew exclamations of surprise from family and friends, suggesting that while observing their parents work responsibly and play fancifully, our sons grew up to emulate those values—suggesting why each one needs no encouragement to recapture the fascinating realm of childhood discovery while raising families of their own. As to Steven's plan: Weeks before the newest episode of Star Wars was shown, nationwide, our son and his friend rented out a state-of-the-art, stadium-seating theater and emailed 250 tickets to family and friends for the opening weekend, Saturday afternoon showing. By the time the lights darkened, every seat was filled with people they enjoyed. Ever walk into a theater and see every seat occupied by people you know? That event, followed by their Star War's party, offered everyone a day of indescribable fun!
Will, Angie and Mack and my nephew and niece, who chose aisle seats so we'd not catch their colds
Vader (Steven) entering our row, walking past two of his high school buds
Our cousins chose seats behind us, and Marie's extended family sat behind them
A trio of brothers (Barry had to miss the fun)
And in this way was a Star Wars kind of day enjoyed, all around
Now, imagine my smile reminiscing over the mischievous surprise, cooked up for Marie's b/d
Imagine me sitting in our car next to Will, who is driving from the desert to the coast
Imagine me, cell phone in hand, texting Marie:
Let's Facetime, tonight, so we can celebrate a part of your birthday, together
Let's Facetime, tonight, so we can celebrate a part of your birthday, together
Imagine Marie texting back: Great! Wish you were here!
Imagine us parking our car curbside in front of Barry's new home, late afternoon, Dec. 22nd
Imagine me Facetiming with Marie, Barry, Trent and Corey, while approaching their front door
Imagine Will texting Barry to open the front door
Imagine Barry, who was in on our plan, getting up from the couch to open the door
Imagine we three tiptoeing behind the couch, where Marie and the boys are Face timing with us
Imagine me tapping Marie on the shoulder
Imagine Marie turning around—imagine her shouts of surprise (as she leaps to her feet) while
We three are laughing and singing Happy Birthday
We three are laughing and singing Happy Birthday
Imagine five year old Trent shouting and jumping up and down
Imagine four year old Corey looking scared out of his wits until the adults calm down
Imagine Barry, laughing, eyes beaming happiness
Imagine Marie, who insists she's not mushy like we are—tearing up
Imagine everyone hugging each other
Imagine David ringing their door bell
Imagine the house filling will Marie's extended family
Imagine a surprise dinner catered by an Italian restaurant
Imagine all of us going to see Star Wars—again
(Imagine Marie reaching for my hand, several times over the next few days)
(Imagine Marie reaching for my hand, several times over the next few days)
Imagine us staying to enjoy a Snoopy kind of Christmas on the coast
Imagine Marie's sister nearing the birth of her first child
Imagine me watching Barry's delight while he assembled toys for the boys that
He'd loved at their age
Imagine Marie's sister nearing the birth of her first child
Imagine me watching Barry's delight while he assembled toys for the boys that
He'd loved at their age
Imagine Xmas day, late afternoon, still Snoopified, at a nearby restaurant
While Marie, Ravi and Steven enjoy festivities in the desert with family and friends
Imagine grateful hearts hoping that the New Year will offer our family as many wondrous, blended occasions with those we love as had been our good fortune to enjoy during 2015
If you ask how all of us came to set a high value on familial connectedness, over the years
The answer to that question will clarify for you in stories that I'm eager to write
PS
Imagine my computer guru (who, as of late, has rescued me from the clutches of the black screen, about once a month) arriving to examine my computer, after which I was told to brace myself, because it's finally obvious that my hard drive has been dying a slow death
Imagine new computer, ordered, suggesting change for the better is on its way ...
And on that up note, my smile suggests it's time to pick up Ravi for our Thursday playdate
Hooray!
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