On Missing a Brother

Today, the day after Chris's funeral, has been a sad day for me.  It's sinking in that there will be always be a hole in the Albert family, and what a huge loss it is.  On the other hand, it was a recuperative day for Steve who is genuinely tired.  He did find enough energy to make us hamburgers and baked beans for dinner, then sit on the couch to pet Tiger (who always shows up within 30 seconds when petting is a possibility).

This Paul Simon song has been running through my head all day, since reading and re-reading Steve's post on NCFE about Chris.  You probably aren't familiar with Simon & Garfunkel (who are a world famous, but "older" duo).  An interesting fact that I learned recently.....  they attended the same high school Grammie did, Forest Hills High School in Queens NY.   You can't help but appreciate the beautiful vocals.

Your Step Dad

Today we had the funeral mass for Steve's brother, Chris.  Alex, it was so nice that you came to the funeral!  It's been a long day, but things are generally OK knowing that Chris is at peace now.

Steve has been so involved over the past couple years helping his brother (I won't elaborate), and now in making many arrangements which are necessary and significant when death comes.  Steve wrote a lovely tribute to Chris on NCFE, which you can read here.  And he gave the eulogy during the funeral. This is very difficult stuff, and I admire him for being such a strong person, so very thoughtful & eloquent, and above all a wonderful brother.

When talking about a friend, co-worker or family member, sometimes Steve says "He's a good man".   Well, we all know from living together that Steve absolutely fits that description himself.  And his role as a Step Dad is important to him.  He thinks about both of you a lot, is generous with his time and otherwise, and offers advice without drama.  I honestly believe he is the best parent to teenagers and young adults that I've ever known.  Here's a favorite picture of his, from our 2016 vacation in Florida - looking out at the NASA vehicle assembly building of the Kennedy Space Center.

We all are very lucky to have him in our lives, for many reasons.  Steve and I, with Aunt Pam especially, know that we're providing a stable foundation for your lives.  And showing you what it is to have loving family relationships.  Outside Rob B's and Joy A's offices, I've often looked at a tree poster with the quote below.  I hope that as you walk through life together as brothers, you will be true friends.

Family:  

Like branches in a tree, we all grow in different directions;

yet our roots remain as one.

Christmas 2016

A few highlights from Christmas just past......  and some pictures to follow......

• Robby. you say you don't know what your favorite present was - though I think it was your Obi-Juan shirt (you want to somehow add "Balogna" to it).  DVD's of the first 2 seasons of "All in the Family" come in a close second.
• Alex, you don't know either.  As a history buff, hopefully you'll like this new book: "Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution".  And a new dress shirt & tie has come in handy for work at Gerrity's (to add credibility when advising customers about pomegranates and firm but small eggplants).
• Steve was happy to get the kitty book in the picture below, but I think his favorite present was a "World's Okayest Dad" mug from Korin.  He was also pleased with matching Life is Good shirts he got for the two of us.
• I was mostly happy that I didn't get too tired and, particularly, didn't get sick (or have a nasty tooth ache like last year).
• Lastly, Robby was quite disappointed that he didn't get a video of Santa.  He set his iPhone up in the living room to record activities around the Xmas tree, but the recording stopped at some point before Santa arrived (his secrets are safe for another year!).
• We had a nice Grotto Party, as usual. You may not realize it, but everyone (especially your grandparents) is happy to have time with teenagers - or recently graduated teenagers, such as those who turned 20 the previous day.
• I've added one extra Christmas tree picture at the bottom, which at this moment is the picture posted at the top of the Carroll Boys blog. It was a magical photo I happened to get while sitting on the couch - for some reason, a ceramic Santa ornament that Grandma made was brilliant.....  and what a sweet picture of Tiger.

Almost 20 Years

Tonight I am thankful for almost 20 years as a Mom, with your birthday coming up in exactly 1 week, Alex.  We talked tonight about how excited I was over Christmas 1996 as I waited to meet you.  I tried to enjoy presents on Christmas Day, but it was so distracting to think about the big event coming up.  On Dec. 26th, I went Christmas shopping to Boscov's with Grandma and Aunt Pam (I was quite large), visited my Uncle Bob in Kingston the following evening *, then we were all out to dinner on Dec. 28th when my water broke at the restaurant - yuk!  Anyway, you came along the next morning - a Sunday, during a church service Aunt Pam was playing at Central United Methodist.  Now you're busy with LCC classes, working at Gerrity's and just left for an outing with Taylor.

* Uncle Bob was a retired internist and alarmed at the prospect of my going into labor, meanwhile his wife Anne was enthusiastic about that idea since she was a retired obstetrics nurse !  Everything would have worked out fine regardless, since their house was almost across the street from Nesbitt Hospital where you were born.

And Robby, you came shopping with me to Gerrity's tonight to get holiday groceries.  It was so nice have that simple time together, and I looked at you hard to appreciate how special you are at age 14.  You're 5' 5" (as per a visit to Joy A yesterday) so definitely taller than me now.  Today you had a Mario Cart competition in Mr. Hyzinski's 8th grade social science class since it's the last day of school before Christmas vacation.  You brought in 2 cases of Snapple Ice Tea for the party.  Fun!

I am very, very lucky to have you both; raising you to be independent and thoughtful young men is by far the biggest accomplishments of my life.  I heard this song on Magic 93 as we drove home from the store, and its title sums up my feelings about the sweet experience of being a parent.

Our Wedding - July 3, 2015

Celebrating the Marriage of Christine Elizabeth Rivers & Stephen Gerard Albert Friday, July 3, 2015 4:00pm

Processional                                                                                   “Learning To Walk”                                                           (Joseph Martin)                                                Hymn (All)                                                                                  “Morning Has Broken”                                                The Ministry of the Word Old Testament Reading                                                               Ecclesiastes, 4: 7-12                                                                 Read by Diana Bloom                                 Harp Interlude                                                                              “The Gift of Love”                                                                           (Traditional)                                                          Performed by Laura Lewis             New Testament Reading                                                             Romans, 12: 9-12 The Marriage Sand Ceremomy                                                                        Love’s Philosophy                                                                                                (Percy Shelley)                                                           Read by Rebecca Albert The Blessing of the Marriage Irish Blessing (All)                                 May the raindrops fall lightly on your head May the soft winds freshen your spirit May the sunshine brighten your heart May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love Recessional                                                                                    "The Four Seasons, Spring (Allegro)”                                            (Antonio Vivaldi) Our Acknowledgments Chris would like to thank: Susan Walsh for listening and giving sound advice. Julie Rivers for encouragement to go for a walk around Lake Scranton with “this tall guy from work”. Diana Bloom for dress shopping & consultation. Lawrence Bloom for entertaining children during dress shopping. John & Fran Rivers for traveling from Qatar to join us. Steve would like to thank: God, for the gift of second chances. The entire Rivers family for making me feel so very welcome from the beginning.  My co-workers for all of their kind wishes. We both would like to thank: Our children, Katrina, Korin & Rebecca Albert, Alex & Robby Carroll for standing with us. Lindsay Rosar for photography. Mandy Loeffler and the staff of the East Mountain Inn for the wonderful arrangements. Pam Carroll for music recommendations. Joe Matteo for ceremony & cocktail hour music. Mike Torres for dinner & dancing music. And Most Importantly: We would like to thank our families, especially the late    Doris Albert and David & Liz Rivers for their love and support over the years.

Wedding Pictures

One of the Best Days EVER

Alex graduated from Wyoming Area on Friday June 12, 2015.  It was a busy, but very wonderful day.  Here are highlights......

Preamble - Alex's friend Nick Shedlock asked Alex to play in his band for Senior Day.  Nick lives across Montgomery Avenue from us, and in fact we hear him practicing drums regularly.  Nick wrote the music and lyrics to a song Wish You Well, and was missing a base player.  Knowing that Alex plays guitar, he asked Alex to play base for the performance.  Alex used a borrowed base to practice including his music part, and was ready to go within a couple days.  After several band practices and Senior Day practices, Nick (guitar and vocals), Bryan Sachaczenski (guitar) and Ian Brace (percussion) and Alex did play on Thursday, Senior Day.  They were a hit!!  And they were selected for performance at graduation !!!

• Unexpected Development - Steve's daughter Katrina had not been feeling well for some time, and a few days earlier learned that her gallbladder had to be removed.  Unfortunately, she became very sick and needed emergency surgery.  She was transferred from Scranton to the Geisinger Hospital in Danville on Thursday.  Steve spent most of Friday with her in Danville; the surgery went very well, and he stayed to talk with her after she woke up.
• Edie & Jon - It was lovely to have Edie McCausland and Jon Dodge join us for graduation festivities.  We have spent happy weekends visiting in Webster, MA since Alex was a pre-schooler, and this was their first visit to Northeast PA to visit us.  Rather than staying with us, they checked into the Comfort Inn (near Wal-Mart in Pittston) about 4 pm on Thursday.  Edie and Jon had a pizza dinner with Robby and me here at home the night before graduation (while Alex was working at Fox Hill, where he is now handling the salad & sandwich bar).   Robby helped with the house tour - they seemed to like our place, which reminds them of 14 Hill Street in Webster (and we think were built about the same time).   
• Visit to Wilkes-Barre Etc. - On graduation day, while Alex was at practice and busy with other preparations, Edie, Jon, Robby and I went to downtown Wilkes-Barre.  We parked on S. Franklin Street in front of the Westmoreland Club, and walked around looking at the former St. Stephen's Church rectory - now owned by the local Historical Society.  Edie was particularly interested in looking at the house, which was your great grandparents' (Burke and Phyllis Rivers) home from the late 1940's until 1972 (just before Hurricane Agnes & the flood).  Edie has fond memories of visiting a few times as a child, with her parents John (Phyllis's brother) and Teresa McCausland and sister Nikki.  She remembers the dining room, red kitchen and handsome from staircase (as I do), and upstairs layout (I remember one bedroom).  We walked down the Westmoreland Club parking lot to look at the large backyard, which I remember as well.  (I also remember having fun on a toddler riding toy, on the walkway immediately next to the church.)  We went on to walk through Kirby Park, and drive around Harvey's Lake.  
• Meanwhile...... Alex had graduation practice starting at 9 am.  It was over by 11 am, when he and his bandmates went to the football field to set up equipment and do sound checks for their performance - this took quite some time, working in the hot sun (90+ degrees and humid).  Due to the weather forecast, a decision was announced that graduation would be indoors at the gym.  The boys then packed everything up and moved gear to the gym.  As of @2 pm, Alex  was still waiting in the gym - having been told that graduation might be switched back to the stadium.  He was quite unhappy about this, but had told his pals that he would have to leave @3 pm regardless.  Luckily, he had managed to get a fresh shirt & drink mid-day. After our trek to Harvey's Lake, Edie and Jon went back to the hotel and I brought green & gold balloons from Balloon Works to decorate the front porch.  
• Mizu Sushi - I picked Alex up at the gym just before 3, and we headed to Pittston to pick up Edie & Jon who stayed at the Comfort Inn (by Walmart).  We made it to Wilkes-Barre for our Hibachi dinner right on time at 3:30.  Aunt Pam joined us, and we had a nice time watching the cooking display.  Alex had sushi, which he shared with me and Aunt Pam - delicious.   ..... as was the rest of our meal, including selections of scallops, lobster, tuna, chicken and steak !  I got some nice pictures, and left the restaurant happy with full stomachs.  Alex, I think your favorite gift was a new set of dry flies from Edie & Jon - you looked thrilled.  You've been making out like a bandit, with gifts from Uncle Jason, Uncle George, Aunt Pam, Brud, Grammie, Aunt Diana and Aunt Julie.  Robby headed off with Aunt Pam.
• A Disappointment - Dad had been in the hospital about 3 weeks, and was released on the morning of graduation.  He had planned to make it to graduation, but unfortunately did not feel well enough (and in fact, went back to the hospital emergency room for a time in the late afternoon).  Ultimately, it wasn't possible for him to join us - I know he would be very disappointed.  I'm sorry that he couldn't see you graduate.
• Graduation - The final decision was......  graduation at the stadium !!  Alex's friends moved all the equipment back to the field.  With a fresh covering of sun tan lotion on his face and dressed in shorts & a shirt (not appropriate attire), Alex made it back to the stadium just after 5:30 to finish all the arrangements.  After a few quiet minutes at the house, Edie, Jon and I drove over to the stadium and parked on Susquehanna Ave.  On our walk over to the stadium @ 6:20, Steve called saying that he was leaving Danville.  After a sultry day, the evening was breezy and beautiful!!  You had picked a great spot in the bleachers - turned out to be right behind & next to Taylor's family!  We enjoyed meeting and saying hello to everyone.  Taylor graduated Summe cum Laude !!  Soon Aunt Pam and Robby joined us.  It was exciting and emotional to watch you and your classmates processing just before 7 pm, listening to speeches and - the best part - performances of original poetry & music by you and your 169 classmates.  Taylor's Mom, Dad and grandmother took pictures of both Taylor and you - as we did.
• Band Performance!!  After a struggle to keep your cap from blowing away, your friend Nick started playing guitar & singing.  You did a wonderful job playing base - which you first picked up only 3 weeks previously - and looked SO happy to be up there performing!!!  Your previous experience as a Star Boy and with baseball and soccer games must have been a factor.  The song was a huge hit with your class, and we madly took pictures through the whole performance.
• Diplomas - Presentation of diplomas started about 7:50.  A couple minutes later, Steve called to say he had parked on Susquehanna Ave. and was walking up to the stadium.  He walked into the stadium at the end of the "B's", and amazingly heard your name announced as your diploma was awarded!  (I was so happy that Steve made the effort to be there!)  It was nice to listen as so many of your friends - going back as far as Cookie Corner days - were introduced.....  Brian Berti, Conrad Chapple, Steven Dauber, Alex Dolan, Robby Foss, Nicholas Granteed, Colby Kluk, Mike Kuharchik, AJ Lenkaitis, John Joseph Marianacci, Matt Minnelli, Carmen Randazzo, Zack Scrobola, Drew Slater, John Urban, Zach Wishneski and a few girls who you went to preschool or played tee ball with Caitlyn Kraynack, Carrie Pozaic, Julianna Scappaticci.  Not to mention, best of all, Taylor Schechter.
• Grand Finale - After Mr. Quaglia's Top 10 quotations and a rousing Alma Mater, the class recessed and gathered at the goalpost, near the stadium entrance.  On queue, caps went flying in the air and cheers resounded!  It made for great pictures!  
• Postlude - We headed down to the field and eventually found you (not easy in the throng!).  Alex, it was fantastic to see your joy.  We got pictures with all of us, including a great picture of Robby hugging you (that I hope to track down)!  Robby was so very happy for you!!  You went around to take more pictures with your bandmates and friends, while I took Edie and Jon back to the hotel.  I came home to find you showered and ready for the All Night Party.  Taylor picked you up @10:15, and you did make it back home shortly after 6 am on Saturday.  You slept all morning, then went back to bed for another couple hours & left for a graduation party about 3 pm.  You had a good time at the overnight Party - I'm so glad!!
• And Time With Dad - In the evening we visited Dad, who spent his first full day at home.  Alex, you wore your cap and gown - and we showed Dad pictures of graduation.  You also told us about activities at the All Night Party.  You are a thoughtful boy to spend time sharing your special day with Dad.

Citizen's Voice Article

Alex, here you are on your first day of kindergarten (so excited) and getting your diploma !