I think I’m gonna be sad. I think it’s today. My brother and his wife are going away. They’ve got a ticket to ride. They’ve got a ticket to ride. They’ve got a ticket to ride, and that totally bites.
Tonight we’re going to help load the U-Haul that will take James and DeDe off to Phoenix where James will start PA school. I’m really happy for them. Really sad for me.
I didn’t appreciate James enough when we were kids. I sat on him a lot when we were little, in an effort to get him to see things my way. When we were teenagers, I was so socially and emotionally screwed up, I couldn’t handle the fact that he had a lot of friends and I didn’t.
I didn’t take time to appreciate the fact that he had the Hillcrest choir teacher’s whiteys in a wad when he tried to shed the light on his Dictatorship. I didn’t understand why he carried around a plastic deer with him to his classes. I didn’t pay attention to his incredible taste in music.
Then we both grew up. And I totally get him. He’s hilarious and smart and funny and insightful and responsible and kind. And he picked the coolest girl to marry.
DeDe and I went shopping a few weeks ago to find something to wear to Jesse’s wedding. We spent a few hours at Gateway mall, and no less than 38 times was DeDe stopped and hugged by someone who dearly loved her. (Okay, it was probably only 4 or 5 times, but that’s about 4 or 5 more times than the rest of us, right?)
At Jesse’s wedding last weekend, I admired the way DeDe ably assisted all the smooth-runnings of the reception. She helped the photographer gather who he needed. She helped with the karaoke, she paid attention to details. And not in an over-bearing way. She has a warm, unassuming nature that I really wish would have rubbed off on me a little before she was gone.
So, I think you’ll understand why, tonight, as we gather to send them off, the keys to the U-Haul might turn up missing.
I’m so happy you (four) have become such good friends. If you ever have two children who don’t appreciate each other growing up (won’t work with your current family bcs they love each other enough right now to last a lifetime), then you will know how happy I am to see this relationship blossom. My fondest wish is that after Dad and I are gone, you kids will always be there for each other, and love and enjoy each other. I felt pretty silly Friday night asking you why you were crying. Silly first, then very touched, then very grateful. And you’re right about Dede. With her by his side, James could be President of the U.S.A. bcs she would make a great First Lady.
One more thing: This move doesn’t seem so ominous to me. When compared to Cincinnati, it’s almost next door!
Hey Tiff,
We are going to miss you guys too. It has been way good hanging out with you guys as of late. You all should come down and pay us a visit. It is pretty nice down here.
[...] James called last night to say that he and Dede are only weeks away from bringing their baby-powdered newborn Boxer pup home. It’s She’s a runt and currently nameless. The way he talked about it her, I could have sworn that a check from Ed McMahon couldn’t make him happier. How is it possible that we share the same DNA? He asked me to think about some names for it her, as he was currently stuck on “Joan of Bark” and wasn’t totally committed to it. He claimed that Dede wasn’t a lot of help in the naming department since her childhood dogs were named “Woof”, “Dog”, and “Bark”. [...]