Current Events

A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

It was a cool and misty day that 25 February 2001, just one day after the 47th anniversary of the day I was shot down over Germany. I must say that the outlook was far more promising than in 1944. We had just returned from 12 o'clock Mass and stopped by our condo to kill a little time before meeting our dear friends, Anne and Bing Miller, for brunch.

They had very generously invited Lenore and me to join them in sharing their gift certificate for the highly popular brunch at the Williamsburg Inn. We arrived at the Inn
about 10 minutes late and found them, in the lobby, anxiously awaiting our appearance.
Once we had checked our coats, a waitress gathered up 4 menus and led us through the doorway to the non-smoking dining room. As I entered, I noticed this young woman taking my picture and also there were other people standing around. My God, I thought that young lady resembled my younger daughter.

It was then that it dawned on me that a party had been arranged by my dear wife as an early celebration of my 80th birthday. I was totally aghast and could only stammer "you suckers, you suckers." Over all the years, my family has not been able to surprise me with gifts or parties. Somehow I always seem to know, but this was different, I didn't have a clue! While I assumed my family would do something special, I didn't know when or where.

That is why I was totally flabbergasted as I walked through that doorway. Needless to say it was a wonderful affair. All of my 4 children including my daughter from Fort Lauderdale and my 8 grandchildren were present, as were my oldest and dearest friend Ray Castrilli and his wife, Ida, and my first cousins Dorothy and Mary Margaret. Altogether there were 23 people there. Lenore had arranged for an open bar with first class booze and a sit-down dinner featuring choice of seafood or prime rib. In short, I couldn't have done it better myself.

One of the best parts of this day was when I got to sit down and open my presents. This happens to be my favorite pastime after golf. I won't list them all but there was a great Odyssey putter, some Gray Goose vodka, numerous food and other certificates, and wearing apparel. While all of these material things pleased me immensely, I can't help but think of how truly blessed I am. The love of a beautiful and loyal wife for close to 55 years; my handsome and successful children, three of whom are great parents in their own right (our older daughter is single); wonderful and loving grandchildren; tried and true good friends and my other loving relatives.

God has been very good to me throughout my life and with Him, together with my family and friends, what more could any man possibly want.