Memorial Day

A pause to remember men and women who have gone into service for our country. A pause to remember those who have given their lives for this country. A pause to remember those who sacrifice their lives for the good of others. A pause to remember those who give up their lives to help the world. A pause to remember our families and those who have gone on. A pause to remember what peace should be. A pause to remember what family should be. A pause to remember what our country and the world CAN and SHOULD be.

Sunday Sunday....as opposed to Monday Monday

Sunday.. choices

Email from Sean said that in Louisiana it is over 90 with 80o/o humidity.

I would love to see him but...maybe Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras.. would be a bit cooler!

So here I sit it's about 65-70 degrees, dry and sunny..should I go for a walk..read... or watch the Yankees win? Thinking ahead I think I'll opt for the walk, need to drop about 15 more pounds before July. Gotta keep this up!

So off I go for a fast 4 miles on a dry, sunny New England May day...

Memories

Talked with Sean last night and he told me the sweetest story! When he visited us back in 1989, I gave him a claddagh ring. He said he wore it for a while but the silver always turned on his finger. He gave it to a girlfriend and when they broke up he made sure he got it back. Years went by and he met Paula..he went and had the ring resized and gave it to Paula before he was able to get her "the real ring". So nice that he kept it and that he remembered that I had given it to him! He is a SULLIVAN man to be sure!

The story of the claddagh is that it only be given to someone you love, or in friendship. It is a traditional Irish ring and many times is worn as a wedding band.

The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "Let love and friendship reign."

Brothers and Sisters

This photo was taken back in 1978. Last night Chelsey called and said that she had a nice call from her big brother. What fun this is. Not sure if he has been able to track down the Gabriel yet.. Gabe is a busy busy guy but his cell phone makes it possible to find him pretty quickly. Looks like a family reunion will be in the works. Hope it happens at our place on PEI in LATE JULY OR EARLY AUGUST!!!!!!!

St Patricks Day..Cajun Style..

Oh my goodness..The boy has a bit of the Irish Sullivan running in those Cajun veins..NO his hair is not red.. but it was that day.. Maybe he will make his way north for our St Patty's Day party here next year. Anyway talked with Sean last night again this time I got to talk for a while. Learned that the long hair shown in the first photo I put up was there for a reason. He was growing his hair in order to donate it to "Locks for love".. Amazing... just like his little niece Morgan ( with encouragement from her mom..his sister! ) Must be "in the genes" as J. J. says..

By the way.. those white "boots" he called Cajun sneakers( or something like that) They are shrimp boots... I have a lot to learn from this young man!

A 2 and 1/2 hour phone call and only just the start!!!

I know that is the longest Dan has ever talked on the phone. He was so glad to talk to Sean and to begin to catch up on the past lets see since we last saw him..maybe 18 years..But really 41 years. We have never really had the chance to know Sean or his sister. Sad and unfair but NOW things will change. I know we want to see this smiling face a lot! We LOVE YOU SEAN!! we really do and we are both just thrilled to have you and Paula in our family!!! Now we can be a family of lets see Me, Dan, Sean and Paula, Kristin and her two ( someday maybe) , Chelsey, Molly, Morgan, Gabe ( Amy?).. Hummmm That's 12..How cool is that!!! So SMILE SEAN!!! We won't let you get away this time!

Finding people...

The most amazing thing happened last night. I was shutting down the computer and saw that Dan had gotten a message on his MYSPACE account. When I clicked on it I was in total shock.
Dan had gotten a note from Sean his son from his first marriage. We had lost contact with Sean and his sister Kristin years ago. Had often tried to find them but never could. Sean is now 41 years old, and tonight we will finally reconnect with a phone call first and who knows what will come. Families separated for selfish reasons!! Only hurt can come from such things. Sean and Kristin never had the chance to know their Dad when they were little..so sad, they and he missed so much. Maybe the grand kids will benefit!

Looking forward to getting reacquainted.