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is for Richard.
Though his name is Richard, he is called Dick. The husband of Mary, my former wife, Dick is not only family, he is a friend.
When they returned home following their wedding, Mary phoned me. “We aren’t doing a honeymoon,” she said, “because we want to go to Italy next year. Dick wants to do Tuscany.”
“That’s a great idea,” I said. “You’ll love Tuscany.”
“And,” Mary said, “we’d like you to go with us.”
“Why not,” I said, knowing she wanted me to plan their trip. “Haven’t I been on all you’re honeymoons?”
Another time, the three of us drove to Tucson to organize the celebration of Eleanore’s ninetieth birthday. We planned the party, set the menu, shopped for the groceries, cooked, served, and cleaned up. Pa watched in wonder as each of us carried out our assigned tasks like the cogs of a well-oiled machine. “You guys are amazing,” he said. “You need to be on television.”
Dick is the personification of the still waters run deep adage. Not still in terms of activity, but still in the sense of solid. Dick has solid values: loyalty, dependability, compassion, generosity of spirit. Above all, Dick values family.
Dick is extraordinarily generous and supportive of the large family Mary and he have created. Dick’s daughter and son and their families, Mary and my two daughters and their families, comprise a blended family in the truest sense.
If asked for a word to describe Dick, I would respond, “hospitality.” He loves to host a houseful of people, family or friends or a mixture of both. All are welcome and none go away hungry either for want of food, warmth of community, or in need of love.
Husband, father, grandfather, friend, patriarch, Dick is host to the whole host of a large and loving family.
Beautiful, Dennis — your words and the man you describe. xoA
I can always count on my Annis. I love you, dear one.
Other families could take a lesson from all of you. You all get along without contention or bitterness, which is the best way for all invloved. Thanks for sharing this.
Kathy @ Swagger Writers
The commitment to being a family requires hard work that pays big dividends. Thank you for commenting on my post.
I think it’s great that your friendship with Dick and Mary shows such care for each other. Plus, going to Italy with them – now that’s really special.
It was very special. The trip started in Paris and ended in Rome with the Glacier Express, Tuscany, and Venice in between; but, that’s another story.
Somehow bringing the ex-husband along on the honeymoon with the new husband doesn’t seem kosher. Is Dick really okay with this?
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Dropping into my A to Z Blogging Challenge posts two-thirds of the way through the challenge is like beginning on page 180 of a 270-page novel. That’s why I provided a link to the “M is for Mary” (http://derwerffblogg.com/archives/2698) post at the beginning of this post.
Hello! This is a wonderful tribute to such an important man in your life. Wishing you a great week!
Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you have a great week, too.
“Haven’t I been on all your honeymoons?” (Best line ever!!!)
Dennis, the more I get to know you, the more I understand that I am the lucky one here. I love your life. I love how you affect people. I love that people recognize your heart and they want to stay in your life forever.
Excellent bit of writing. Your succinct style is always so thorough. Well done.
Dana at Waiter, drink please!
Dana,
That you feel like the “lucky one” is high praise. I am blessed by the people in my life, including the people who read my blog and who encourage me to write. Thank you for continuing to read my stories.