PROPS

The second annual Guastello family reunion was held this weekend, with a couple of
additional attendees from last year, and, unfortunately a few absentees, for reasons that
highlight the circle of life.
Props to the new attendees; to Amy for trekking cross country to be part of the festivities,
and to John, Sara's house co-owner, for providing delicious margharitas and smooth cigars.

Props to the repeat offenders; those who attended last year's initial reunion:
To Matt, for serving as a wonderful role model for Miles.
To Miles, for his incredible impersonation of Matt.
To Mia, for coming (exploding?) out of her shell.
To Lincoln, for his hairdo that was nicer than Pop's.
To Landon, for his valiant attempt at being just like Miles.
To Dan, for his champagne popping and serving skills.
To Liz, for bringing her dog.
To Welly, the best looking dog at the par-tay.
To Chris, for his stage presence. (He should consider a career in theatre.)
To John, for being the impetus for these gatherings.
To Tina, for finding Candlewood Lake.
To Wally, for his sophmoric humor and beer brand recognition.
To Sara, for usurping Julie's role of kids games organizer.
To Kirk, for his herculean effort to provide outside karaoke.
To Julie, for being the "hostess with the mostest" after running 8 miles in 65 minutes!

To Fran, for making the nickname "Granny" cool.
To Jude, for letting no obstacle prevent him from placing a bet with his bookie.
To Marion, for reminding me of Mom.
To Geeg, for being the inspriration for my tribute to Gerard.

Props to those who could not attend:
To Brian and Babe for missing the occasion for the best possible reason.
We expect to see you and Brooke next year.
To Gerard, who missed the occasion for the worst possible reason.
Sadly we will not see you next year, but you will continue to be with us in spirit.

Special props to all the aunts and uncles, for the love and affection they have for their
nieces and nephews. When it comes to kids, parents usually do what they have to do.
Grandparents consider their grandchildren rewards for what they did for their kids.
But aunts and uncles have a special opportunity to bond with their nieces and nephews.
You are their friends, and their guardian angels. You are mommy and daddy, without
the shouting.
I was lucky to become an uncle at an early age. (Marion is much older than me.)
Wally and Gerard were the first people I was willing to share the middle of the universe with.
There is room in the middle for all of us.

Finally, if necessity is the mother of invention, I propose that blogging may be the father.
The picture below is the result of my first ever scan. I probably should have used that
technology at work at some time. Never did.
Wally gave me the picture Sunday afternoon, suggesting I find a special place for it.
I hope he agrees that this is a special place.
Amy, Sara, and Gerard; circa 1978
Two pearls and a diamond in the rough.

And so it goes......