Fiftieth wedding annniversaries are always a big deal. When I found my invitation to Verna and Percy Lyons's celebration that their children were throwing for them; I knew I had to go. Then, there's always the question of the gift...and for me, having to ask for a ride. The gift was actually easy. I have a beautiful photo that I'd taken of one of the "spouters" at the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris on my "gift to myself" of a day last August.
I thought about all the times I'd sat in Verna's kitchen, catching up on family and watching the years go by. There were those times after the storm, when we all came together in the neighborhood and became so much closer in the face of disaster. A beer on the steps at the end of the day with Percy and the guys made any nasty day better.
During my years in France, we stayed in touch by email and all visits home included a walk down the street to say my hellos and get those hugs, kisses and I love yous.I'd call from time to time and I knew that they were always keeping an eye on the house for me.
Now, I'm here. We have lived together in this neighborhood since about 1980..34 years. It's incredible to think that we've actually shared each others lives for 34 of the 50 years of their marriage. I've watched their kids grow up. I've watched the grandchildren and great-grandchildren come. We partied and parked during JazzFest, and I wouldn't trade any of it for a million bucks.
As much as I love Cadrieu and would like to be home, I'd have missed this very special celebration if I were there and not here. And, I'd have never realized this huge gift of the shared history with my neighbors I love.
Percy and Verna may have gotten a framed heart from Paris yesterday to hang in their kitchen, but I got the gift of another aha of a greater appreciation for being able to be in my life here in New Orleans. I wouldn't trade it for a million bucks! Huge Merci to Verna and Percy-for more than you know, and Happy 50th One More TIme!
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.