We both enjoy planning ahead: for the next meal, the next
shopping trip, the next car, the next house. This usually helps us with our
P’s: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance. We’re probably in
our last house now, but we still enjoy the planning. One never knows, do one? We’re
fortunate that we’re both inclined to be neat and organized – it precludes sniping
at one another. Above all, we are
courteous to each other. Saying a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ for little favors
leads to greater appreciation of bigger ones.
Over the years we’ve developed little rituals that we enjoy:
from being sure to put out the sweet gherkins for our tuna melts to selecting
fresh flowers for the house. Our best, now ingrained ritual is to say “I Love
You” or “Love You to Pieeeeeeeeeeces!” Waking up each morning, settling in to
bed, and all times in between; coming and going – especially going or ending a
phone call with each other or any of the family – the words are always there.
We’ve got a song-book of family sayings, many of which our
children and grandchildren outgrew years ago. When Joe was Joey – a little kid,
that is – if he’d had a bad day, struck out, guttered too many bowling balls,
or maybe fallen off his bike, he’d say to his Dad “it’s a no day Dad.” “A no
day Dad” is a phrase of the past for him, but it is a regular in the
conversation between Frank and me.
Similarly, when our oldest grandchild was in day care, she came home
disgusted one day because the resident baby ducks were gone. When asked how they were that day she
replied: “No ducks, es worms.” This too
is part of her past, our present.
These are just family sayings and doings, nothing too catchy
or memorable outside of the family, but they keep the memories alive and the
love renewed.
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