Category Archives: Family

Where a Biker Goes on a Nice Day

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Yesterday turned out to be as warm and delightful as promised in the forecast. My spouse was even feeling well enough to join me and my senior pals on our morning rounds of coupon-driven grocery gathering (giggle.)

After the fun of taking LOLITS to the grocery store, we returned them to their homes and returned home ourselves. I prepared my extra-special gluten-free pizza for my spouse.

I had messages waiting for me on the answering machine (yeah, I’m that old-fashioned) from some biker buddies who said they already departed for a ride, and we’ll ride together next time. Oh well, I wasn’t going to have the situation of missing the ride with my friends spoil my day. I made a call to make sure someone I wanted to visit was forewarned that a leather-clad, booted biker was on his way.
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Honoring My Sister and Her Husband

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Today is the 50th wedding anniversary for my “big” sister and her husband. Man, think about it — 50 years of marriage! I am very happy that they reached this important milestone in their relationship. And I was there when they got married, but was just a tyke and don’t remember much.
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Italian Connections Influencing My Worldview

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I posted on this blog yesterday that a reader from Europe asked two questions. I answered one of them here. The second question was,

Does [your connection with Europe/Italy] make you look different to things happening in the States or the world? Or doesn’t it make that big a difference?

That is a great question! And yes, my European connections have influenced how I look at things that happen in the USA.
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Italian Influences

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The topic of this post was suggested by a reader from Europe who responded to my request for blog ideas that I made in a recent post. The reader wrote:

I read that you are from Italian descent and still have a connection with ‘la bella Italia’. I was wondering if this European/Italian connection influences your daily life. Does it make you look different to things happening in the States or the world? Or doesn’t it make that big a difference?

This thought was intriguing to me. Here is what I think….
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New Boots for High School

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My great nephew began wearing boots to school when he entered high school last year. I had the honor of taking him boot shopping last year, where he picked up two pairs of boots. He also received a new pair of dressy Lucchese boots for Christmas. With three pairs of boots, he has become quite the young “bootman” and seldom wears sneakers any more, except when he plays sports. He thinks boots are cool.

A few weeks ago at a family birthday party, I asked him if he thought he had enough pairs of boots, or if he were interested in buying another pair to wear when school starts this year. His reply…
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Brothers

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This is a guest blog post written by my sister M

This is the first time I have written something for my little bother’s blog. Yes, you read that right — my brother who goes by “BHD” uses the reference “your little bother” when he closes his email messages to me. The phrase dates back to when we lived under the same roof and, let’s say, we had many sibling arguments.

We both grew up. He is not a bother to me, but is a cherished friend. His twin brother, as well as my five other brothers, are also very close.

It is time to recognize and thank my brother “BHD” and his twin “J” for their steady, complete, and enduring love and affection, their help and sincere support throughout my life. They are great uncles to my children and great “great uncles” to my grandchildren.

Each of them inspire me to be better. To be a good person. To live life completely. To give back in return for all of the blessings bestowed upon me.

I am truly blessed with these great men in my life who lead, let’s say “naturally.” With grace, dignity, and downright beauty, they do not talk about taking action to resolve the world’s problems — they just do it.

BHD is a marvelous caregiver with the biggest heart I have ever seen. He has deep faith that comforts the most troubled souls. His dedication to caring for our uncle and aunt as they aged and became infirmed was legendary. A true demonstration of love. His commitment to caring for his husband for the duration of his illness and putting up with a tremendous strain throughout those awful months is a testament to the characteristics he possesses that I have long admired: persistence, patience, “unflusteredness,” and enduring love.

J, the ultimate professional, carried out a very difficult career with tremendous dignity and stature. I am still amazed how my little brother, the jock football team captain, grew up to be such a great man who has won respect from political leaders in our country and around the world. And today in his retirement, he is working to help through direct action to resolve suffering, pain, malnutrition, and illness — as he says, “one small community at a time.”

Both of my brothers will celebrate another birthday tomorrow. My gift is that I get to celebrate them every.single.day.

With love for my brothers, happy birthday and thank you for being the men you are.

Sister M

No Twin Birthday

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For the last several years, my twin brother has come to visit and stay with me on our birthday in Mid-August. I have truly enjoyed his visits “back home” (from where he lives in Europe), which have included lots of family visiting time and even some motorcycling. This year, however, he is out saving the world, and cannot come.

I loved having him stand by my side at our marriage ceremony on April 4. Even though that visit was short, having him with me at that most momentous but anticlimactic time was terrific.

This year I have to work the week of our birthday, but I do plan to take off on my actual birthday. I have never worked on my birthday for all the years I have been working, and am not about to start now! I hope the weather is decent and I can get a motorcycle ride in with some friends.

I will sincerely miss having the bestest friend a guy could ever share a birthday with this year, but my brother has a higher calling that he is fulfilling, and who am I to do anything but cherish our love and friendship, and admire a man who means the world to me.

This post demonstrates how deep a love between twins can be and is. I am truly blessed with the best brothers and sisters on the planet, but most of all, the best twin — EVER!

Life is short: love your brother. (And sisters, too, or they’ll pull your hair!)

What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up?

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I was having a very serious discussion with my ten-year-old great nephew the other day. This kid is older than his age; so serious, thoughtful, and sensitive.

He asked me, “what did you want to be when you grew up?” That was easy, but what followed was difficult: “is what you are doing now the same? (as what you thought you wanted to be doing when you grew up?)

I was like most boys his age…
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Family and the Married Gay Couple

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I have often mentioned on this blog how fortunate I feel to have a large, raucous, and very loving, supportive family. It hurts my heart to read or see stories about families disowning sons, siblings, or uncles who are gay. I know that it has been a journey, transition, or evolution — whatever you want to call it — for some of my family to understand that their son, brother, uncle, or cousin is gay… met a man… built a home and a life together… then married when legally permitted.

What has been the family response to the news of our marriage (and practically, an elopement?)
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