It May Not Seem So, But it was a BIG DEAL.

TuxedoThere are moments.

Moments that will leave a mark on your brain, your heart, and your soul.  Usually it is a major occurrence but I have also always been a master at remembering the little things that have happened in my life, but little compared to the world’s standards, not mine; but they hugely impacted my life.

Years ago I starred in a production of a wonderful show entitled, “Our Town”.  Our Town’s simple but extremely powerful message is to enjoy the little things in life as they will surely pass us by at lightning speed.  And they surely do, both good…….and not so good.

In eighth grade my friend Karen told me at lunch time that she felt bad and voted for the classmate I was running against for Class President because she did not think he would get any votes; I lost by one vote; I remember dialing the phone calling ‘that first’ girl in the 6th grade–worse yet I remember her father saying “what do you want?” when he answered the phone; I remember a particular baseball game in Little League where I was bought in the last inning to pitch; up by one run, no outs, and the bases loaded; I struck out the next three batters.

The major occasions are easy but I have always been able to see something and say, “remember this” it matters. Do you have moments that others may just pass over but you remember?  

Yesterday was such a day.

My two sons and I went together to be measured for our tuxedos for my son’s wedding in a month. (WOW–30 days away)  Now surely the wedding memories will trump yesterday but I need to share that sitting back and watching my sons be fitted was an incredible moment in my life.

The movie in my head played all the big moments like graduations and proms and a diabetes diagnosis and first jobs and college and being a fireman; but the growing up ‘mind-movie-clips’ of baseball games, finding a cat, school sports night, a beautiful hand done art piece, laughing together,……well……they all rushed back too.  There was much pride.

My boys are now good men.

Note I did not say perfect men, but why should they be the first two?  None of us are.  So it was a normal Wednesday to most people, but in a little tuxedo place in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York it was a big day for a big event……as little as it would seem to most.  But not to me.

And diabetes had no bearing on it whatsoever………..which made it even better.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

It’s just a Wedding Gown…….Right?????………Sooooooo Nooooooo.

The WallAnnie is being revived again on Broadway.  That may be exciting to some but for me; well it is the second revival.  Three times on Broadway in my lifetime….where does the time go?

My soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Joelle, came by last night, with my daughter.  She found her wedding gown.  Now you may not know this, but when a woman finds the wedding gown that she ‘knows is hers’—-it is a big deal.  Like I knew?

Hearing them all scream with excitement was music to my ears.  Not too sure what all the excitement was about; when you’re beautiful I figure any gown will work.  Joelle is beautiful. 

She is beautiful for a whole list of reasons but the biggest one is that she completes TJ.  Together they make up the perfect pair of TJ and Joelle; and that makes me ecstatic.  Kids getting ready with a whole bunch of wedding plans.  Kids getting ready for a whole life together.

But they are not kids; are they?  
 
It is a fabulous stage in one’s life when you can look at your children one-by-one and realize how lucky you are.  I am more than lucky.  I do not know what the word is, but it is way beyond lucky.

As I heard everyone’s excitement last night that ‘the gown’ was found, I happened to look up at ‘the wall’.  You have one.  Everyone has one.  The wall that shows our kids growing up in pictures.  The wall that we sometimes long for once again.  Because they grow up so quickly.  They do not stay kids forever.

A lot has happened in our lives.  Life.  Perhaps a bit more challenging than others and perhaps not as challenging of others still.  Just life.

But last night there were screams of delight.  ‘THE’ wedding gown was found.  And soon another picture will be available to add to ‘the wall’, the one where we add another daughter.  And that will be a great day.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.