The party was hosted on Sunday afternoon, September 2nd at their San Fernando Valley home. It was a beautiful sunny day in which Anne and I watched all of our grandchildren swim in the pool and run around together, laughing all the while. At 12 years of age, Keoni was the leader and Brody 7 and Gannon 4 and Cameron 7 and Carina 4 joyfully followed his lead.
Among the activities, they played pinball with Ben Haney, who has a magical way of entertaining children and adults alike. And at various times they were joined by Kyle and Diane, Kevin and Melody and Maria, Terri and possibly by my sister Lorrie. The laughter of children and the echo of that pinball machine could be heard from downstairs.
In terms of Terri and Lorrie, I was pleased Terri was able to adjust her travel schedule to attend this party, for I don't see her very often and enjoy her company. Lorrie, whose company I also enjoy writes her weekly "Prosperity Meditation" allowing me to feel close to her while I enjoy her writings, particularly her most recent writings, in which she uses her poetic skills.
Regarding our daughters-in-law, Diane, Melody and Maria, our beautiful, well-behaved and thoughtful grandchildren are a testimony to their superb mothering skills. And each of these ladies is beautiful in her own right.
As for the party, Uncle Gene mentioned to me, he watched Gannon swim only in the shallow end of the pool for that is what Gannon is instructed to do. But when Kyle saw how well Gannon was doing, he asked him to swim across the pool, and to make it safe, jumped into the pool to be alongside Gannon, as the little guy showed us his newly learned swimming capability.
Uncle Gene mentioned something else that moved him. Cameron had come out of the pool because he had a temperature of 102 degrees. But Brody gently and politely asked Cameron to join him so the two could play together.
But what was really very special to all of us was the time with Uncle Gene and Aunt Eleanor. For me they have been among the most loving and important people in my life. Even on this occasion, when Uncle Gene had a mountain of food catered by Brent's, one of L.A.'s finest delis, he personally prepared a wonderful vegetarian menu for me. It is his thoughtful nature to do such things.
For me it was also a joy sitting with Kyle and listening to him discuss his business plans and the many issues he deals with, for it is reminiscent of my own career, and I care immensely about his success.
One of the most meaningful times for me came late in the party. Kevin and I took a long walk up nearby Addison Street. In the late 1990's and early 2000's, we used to take long walks together in his Torrance neighborhood sharing observations and ideas. For the first time in years, we did that again and it brought me great happiness.
In all, it was a party everyone enjoyed and thanks to Uncle Gene, those who desired to left with bags of food to go, something Uncle Gene always does so that as people eat and enjoy the food in the day or two that follows, they relive the good time they had at the party. That very thoughtful act is now something Anne and I do when the opportunity presents itself.
This party will long live in my heart because of the people who were there, especially Uncle Gene and Aunt Eleanor, whose company I never get enough of.
Dick
P.S. Uncle Gene told me today (12/9/12) that he was deeply touched by thank you notes he and Aunt El received this week from Brody and Gannon and Cameron and Carina. Shortly after the party, Uncle Gene told me in the next few weeks, despite Kyle's intensive schedule, Kyle will drive out to see him so the two of them can talk one on one. This pleased Uncle Gene very much, and to me it is indicative of the high regard our entire family has for Uncle Gene and Aunt El.
Note: Hilda, a lovely lady who for many years has assisted Uncle Gene and Aunt El was there to help in the kitchen and with setting up, cleaning up and putting away everything from the party.
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