Last evening marked a return to a cherished event that hadn’t been possible since Soxfather’s untimely departure. We call these things a McShawn’s night because they started out at an Irish bar named, obviously, McShawn’s. With the arrival of the pandemic, we didn’t want to miss out on the always fascinating times these nights entail so we began having them at one of the homes of either Soxfather or his family. The attendees are based around Soxfather and his family and I was privileged enough to be included despite Soxfather’s sister absolute hatred of my photographic abilities, or lack thereof.
Soxfather's Sister (r), Sister in Law & Great Aunt in Shadow
Last
night we gathered at Great Aunt’s house which was a big step for her. She hadn’t
hosted a group at the house since Soxfather’s death. She admitted to a bit of
nervousness but was more than up to the task and performed her usual sterling
hostess duties. My Favorite Panamanian and I arrived a bit early since Great
Aunt also invited us for dinner before the gathering where we were joined by Namesake
Nephew. We gathered on Great Aunt’s back deck for the McShawn’s night and in
the biggest surprise I’ve had in a very long time, all of Soxfather’s family
arrived on time. That is virtually unheard of and we had a practice of inviting
them a half hour earlier than the actual start time because we could count on
them being at least that much late.
McShawn's was Back!
My Favorite Panamanian and I 
Soxfather's Sister Commenting on my Photography 
She's a Real Fan
It
was another fun night only marred by my Favorite Panamanian’s deteriorating
health situation. I had to pay particular attention since she was my designated
driver for the ride home. We had to leave earlier than either of us wanted to
because of that. Soxfather’s memory was a palpable presence all night for those
of us gathered. I’m sure he was on everyone’s mind as we navigated this first McShawn’s
night without him. The coolest part was no one was afraid to bring him up and
talk about the wealth of memories and emotions he bequeathed us. So, this was an
important baby step towards moving forward without his beloved presence but, as
I said, he was there with us (and probably very pissed about the state of the
Red Sox)
Day 15 Progress
Wingman's Reunion Tour Culminated Last Night in Minneapolis
He Returns Home Today
FBR was at Chuckie Cheese's Yesterday 
A Real Competitor
One
movie fell in my A-Z effort, Ad Astra, a keeper and much better than I
remembered.
With a Slimmed Down Chuckie
RECURRING CHARACTERS:
ABFA – Amazing Best Family
Athlete - my daughter
in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter
#3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel -
second granddaughter; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue
about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Curbside Girls – close friends of my
daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions
once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite
Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR
- First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since
high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited
with after many years; Maine and
Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my
wife is the 3rd musquetera (musketeer); Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia
member; 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; Pittsburgh
College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in
Pittsburgh; Riggins - also known as
the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Soxfather
- my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my
son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s
mom, of course
No comments:
Post a Comment