Saturday night we got together to celebrate my father-in-law's 80th birthday in Madison. There were about 20 of us, including all my brother and sister-in-laws and some of their children; Pat and Andy's friends, relatives and siblings. Of all of us, only Dawn seemed prepared to say anything, although Will Carey's rememberances of their life in Baltimore and Uncle Erik's first meeting Andy in the Navy were pretty memorable. Anyway, on the drive home, naturally, I composed what I wish I had thought to say then. Here it is . . . to a great guy.Ten Thing's I Have Learned from My Father-In-Law
- Trust your daughter's judgement even when she brings home an apparent idiot. . . the relationship might just last a few years and they can usually be trained.
- Don't ever eat those red chile peppers in Chinese food unless you are willing to let others see you cry.
- Your job is to keep a roof over thier heads and meat on the table, even if you can't always be there to enjoy the meal with them.
- If it is raining, drop them off at the curb and go park the car.
- It is possible to hit a hole-in-one.
- When you discover your soulmate, or realize she was right beside you all along, do what ever it takes to not to screw it up. Remember your father-in-law (see #1 above).
- If the opportunity to pinch your wife's ass presents itself, take it. . . they say 'stop it' but they don't really mean it.
- When you dance - lead
- The most important news in the New York Post is on the back page, not on the front.
- No matter how much you think you have messed things up raising your children, you still raise kids who love, honor and respect you and cherish being with you. I am proud to include myself , by marriage, among yours.
Happy Birthday, Andy!
