I am lucky. People are always telling me this. It's not because I won the lottery (I didn't) or win contests (I don't), come to think of it I can't remember the last time I actually won something. I remember spending hours as a teen calling the local radio station trying to be the right caller, never was...
But the day I married my husband, I definitely lucked out. I won. Not because I married David, yes, that's all well and good (remember I was already grateful for him earlier this month?) but because I became part of his family. My in-laws are the best. Wonderful and loving, I lucked out with Julie and Tony G (as everyone calls him, yes, even his son.)
Being an only child, my husband, was raised by two loving parents. J & TG filled their home with love and exposed him to everything and everyone and encouraged him to speak his mind. (Do you know David? Shocked I'm sure...)
He likes to say he grew up speaking like an adult before he could really walk. His grandmother had six siblings, so there was always a room full of adults wherever he went. They would follow him around, I'm told. They adored him. Because of this, David has has always been comfortable around adults, from a very young age, and can often be found talking to the oldest person in any room. He has the utmost respect for them, and is very much at ease when talking with them.
J and TG welcomed me into their home from day one. Me and my family. My mother-in-law is an angel. Truly she is. She does so much for others, from driving her friends to doctor appointments, to making sure she calls and checks in on someone, she goes the extra mile. And never complains. She can not visit us without bringing a gift for my sisters' children, all of them. She is a sweet and loving grandma to my girls, their "Gigi". She lets them paint her nails, and dress up in her clothes. She always has mashed potatoes ready for G and lets F ransack her closet to dress up in her finest heels and red lipstick. She makes me broccoli flowers and David escarole, and has the table set with all all favorites each we visit. I am truly lucky to have such a wonderful mother-in-law.
She and my father-in-law celebrated their 50th anniversary last year and we presented her with a trophy, for being the "best wife ever". Truly, she is.
If you haven't yet met my father-in-law, you don't know what you are missing. A bit loud, and well abrasive at times, Tony G doesn't mean to be so direct, it's just who he is. His hearing is not what it used to be, so he yells even louder now. And patience, well let's just say he won't win any awards in this category. But can he tell a story. He commands a room. If you are around him you feel it, if not, you will be soon... because he will see you standing there, and call you over. "Hey!"... "What is your name? Do I know you? Should I know you?"
His granddaughters make him smile, and although he doesn't always understand what goes on in their world, he always wants to know. He is a wonderful Papa. His eyes smile and dance when the girls hug him and I know a perfect day for him is just sitting and talking with them, with everyone in town stopping by to say hello.
I do wish they lived closer. We try to spend every other weekend with them, but it's hard with busy schedules. And I don't mean ours. J and TG are busier than any other couple I know. Especially my mother-in-law, very much the social butterfly. Dinner parties, theater and weekend bus trips with local seniors group, they are always on the go.
Yes, I lucked out. I certainly did... how grateful I am to have such wonderful in-laws. Love you J & TG xo
