So, today’s the day annually I
celebrate my very good fortune a few decades ago when a young Panamanian gal
with amazing brown eyes took a chance on a lumbering gringo. As of today we’ve
been married for 37 years. She agreed to marry me three days after we’d met and
I’m sure just about everybody on both sides of the family were sure that it
wouldn’t last. I guess I’m a bit of a contrarian because we’ve proved them all
wrong.
Most if not all of the credit goes to the
owner of those flashing eyes. I haven’t always been the best partner but she
never gave up on me or more importantly on us. It takes a marriage to endure as
long as ours have to fully appreciate the sense of completion that is possible
to find in another person. I haven’t always been right about some of my
decisions in life but this one, the most important, I absolutely nailed.
She is still the spice in my life
which these winter absences make me understand fully. While most people my age
are seeking the nearest couch she still drags me out to dancing and is always
on the cusp of planning the next get together or party. I love that she doesn’t
allow me to be complacent because I’m always trying to find ways to make her as
happy as she’s made me.
She has a boundless well of love and
compassion. A few years ago when she retired from work she immediately began delivering
meals on wheels to the elderly and was a customer favorite in record time. You
will be her friend if she spend five minutes talking with you, so be warned. She
is the glue that holds both sides of our family together but she’s also got a
core of solid iron. She would brook nothing in life that would harm one of her children
or grandchildren. Despite her small stature she can be a formidable presence.
I’m a very lucky gringo. Happy anniversary
mujercita!
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RECURRING
CHARACTERS
BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR
- First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA –
Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé
& MEG – Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman – my son
in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school
from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great
Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since
grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to
attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school
friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla
– our backyard deck which
grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine
and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US
sisters, my wife is the 3rdmusquetera (musketeer); Buddy – AKA
the Wonder Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died
in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy,
son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals –
female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia –
inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived
& their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close
friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife
(of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday
of the Week; Excellent Boss – my former direct boss at
work; Deckzilla Dude – senior
citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth -
members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all
are on public assistance along with demeanor issues
Happy Anniversary, Love Birds! You are a great couple for sure!
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