gatorcast from paul smith

Tonight I am in Coconut Grove visiting my grandmother and uncle.  Here I am about to ride my uncle’s Harley.  

The boys are with me and are eating ice cream out of the same bowls I did 40 years ago.  They are these wonderful stainless steel bowls that are perfect for ice cream.  My grandmother doesn’t remember the year but says, “Joseph Hennessey was opening a restauranton Miami Beach and gave me 12 of them. ” she then adds, “Joseph Hennessey, what a good Irish name.”   All 12 grandchildren (plus many others) have eaten ice cream out of them.

Today the cousins, my mom, my brother, most of the parents and I watched the Chloe’ play soccer in Miami.  

Here are the cousins enjoying each other.  Its amazing how good things sometimes come from not so good things.

Cameron, Zackery, Olivia and Evan

This was my middle school. This picture was taken from the Miami Herald at my moms house.

Well, not really. But Mom & John took us to the Homestead Air Force Base to get the boys hair cut for school. 

Today is a very special day.   This is my grandmother with her 1st grandchild & her last grandchild (as of this post ).  She just loved taking this photo. 

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My Grandmother, Me & Lilly

She is absolutely proud of ALL her children and grandchildren.  She has been the best grandmother ever. She has never missed my birthday, ever.

Other than my mother, she was the only one who wrote me ‘real’ letters while I was in college.  And she still writes.

Growing up I would spend the night at her house often and I remember her making me breakfast; eggs over easy, toast, bacon and coffee.  She was the one who gave me my first cup.  She tought me how to dip my toast into my coffee. 

I remember eating ice cream with her in her bed watching Johnny Carson in my special ice cream bowl. (I think all her grandchildren had the same bowl). 

I remember being with her while she groomed her favorite kittys.  She has always had several cats and a dog or two.  I remember helping her feed them by putting food in their bowls on the window shelves in the florida room.   She tought me how to be loving and caring towards animals by how she loved her animals.  We name our pets after famous jazz musicians because she does. Ella, Basie, Billy, Benny, Domino…[add too many more to list] 

I become a Knight of Columbus because of things she has said to me or passed on.  She gave me her father’s 4th degree sword and was very eager to learn ‘all’ the secrets. :>

My grandmother worked most of her life and took care of her husband, her 7 kids and all of her grandchildren (and more) and in a very special way touched all of us.  One of my earliest memories is visiting her at Dr. Beckwith’s office on Brickell Ave. in Miami.

I wish I could need to go to Miami more to see her.  

Here she is with ALL her grandchildren (except my Bill & Brian, who I know shared similar memories growing up).

This was a great treat….. Rye Bread and butter….  It makes me remember my grandparents house in Coconut Grove,FL as a kid.  mmmmm..