My in-laws are no longer alive, but if they were, today would have been their 65th wedding anniversary. They never made it quite to their 50th. My father-in-law died in 1991........the 49th year. He had Parkinson's disease for 15 years before that. My mother-in-law died of complications of Alzhiemer's approximately ten years later. Those two diseases are an evil that I shall confine my opinion about till another time.
My in-laws were about the best anyone could ever have. Two words that would best describe them are "meek and mild"............just like the Lord they served. I could not have asked to have any who loved me more. My father-in-law called me "my son's beautiful wife" in his journal.................
oh............oh..........how I needed to hear just that back in those late teen years when self-esteem is a hard won commodity. I don't know where I ever got the boldness but I remember, at the tender age of 17, following suit when his twin daughters, who I was close friends with, would run up to him after work and kiss him on the cheek. I can honestly say that I loved Mr. Hope's parents and miss them to this day.
Both were graduates of Cornell University in New York, my father-in-law from Cornell Law. To this day we continue the celebration of "Noodle Day" which was the name of the dinner they met at while still in school.
I will never forget, how after more than thirty years of marriage my father-in-law, all 6'2" of him, would scoop up my tiny as can be mother-in-law and just begin dancing with her around the living room.
I was in awe, and still am, of the strength of their romantic love, even after eight children, the last of whom came when she was 46 years old and President of the City of Rochester Board of Education.
She ran in the fifties, a time when very few women held any type of political office, under the banner, "Elect a MOTHER to the School Board". She won handily the first time..............the second time almost by a landslide.
An interesting side note is that she was a very devout Christian.........................and a Democrat. Those words were not an oxymoron before 1973 when abortion and out of control spending became part of the package in politics.
My father-in-law was also involved in his own way, running for Congress in the late fifties. After losing by a narrow margin, he decided to focus his attention on getting his wife elected to her post. He was a volunteer in church and the community, giving pro bono services to two seperate colleges and serving on the Board of Corrections among other things. I remember people who knew him "from the old neighborhood" coming to him with a dish of lasagna or some other token, other than money, and how he helped them with their legal matters.
He is the main reason that no one will ever convince me to judge all lawyers as crooked, even if some are. It is a generalization that I will never be part of making. One of his grandsons, the one who bears his very name just moved from Colorado to Manhattan last year to take a job in the Public Defenders office for half the salary most lawyers make. The family tradition continues.
Happy Anniversary, Gramma and Papa. I'm glad to know that I will see you again on that great and glorious day that I come to be with you in the Lord's presence. I love you both.
PS. In case you're interested, Mr. Hope is in the back on the far right.
This is a true blue buddy of mine who I've talked about on my blog before. His name is Daniel Bennett and he is a professional saxophone player, among other things.
I've known his parents since before he was born *see POH putting her hands in front of her face to hide the leetle crinkles around her eyes * and I remember when Daniel was born. He was A-DOR-A-BLE! But he was such a shy little thing. Oh, the stories POH could tell.............I'll spare ya that, Daniel *wink/smirk*
When I became a youth leader about 12 years ago I re-met him He was 15, turning 16. We had the best time back then. He had a band at that time with another guy and guess who they picked to promote it and 'get the gig'? Yep! Ol' POH.....dat gabby bragger. Those were the days!
Anyway, if you are interested, his production company, Bennett Alliance, is putting on their annual Music Fest (formerly Open Fest).. It's being held in Honeoye Falls, New York. It's held outdoors under a pavilion and the show goes on, rain or shine.
Well, I was going to post something else but my teenager girls overrode me and to be honest, if you read my 'music memory' at Needs More Cowbell, I don't exactly HATE The Supremes *wink*
So, this is my offering for today.............I'm just eclectic, I guess. *grin*
Generally I find these blogthing tests do not accurately depict me and so I don't do them unless I am on somoene elses site. I was over on another blog this m orning though and did one. While I was there, I saw this one.
While I don't think the description completely fits me (over-indulgent? Whaaaaa?) I had to chuckle when it came up frappicino. Yep, that's the only coffee I really drink and that's generally a once a week or less treat when Mr. Hope stops for his mandatory Starbucks when we are in the city.
Otherwise I stick with orange juice in the morning. I can think of a few bloggers who might be happy about that!
You Are a Frappacino
At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern
At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent
You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet
Many Blogstream members are there
already! Quotes from members: "It's like blog lite!" -- "I like the instant
gratification!" -- "Stop spectating, get in the game!"
If you have not joined in, you are really missing out!
PS. In case you're interested, Mr. Hope is in the back on the far right.
