Best memory-
High Life House, Scrabble, & Cancer Boy. Each day is a Gift. Also writing that sitcom about Bettina in our heads at Sencha... "Swinging on a swing in New Jersey!" Anytime you can drink an 8 pack and laugh till you get six pack abz is memorable. Oh snap I almost forgot, "Born Survivor will Survive" and you will too Aaron.
Happy 30 and may I officially welcome you too the club. There will be no tight hiptser pants, throw away all your drugs and absolutely no wild, amazing, mind blowin' sex.
However, you may feel free to bite your lip when dancing (not too much moving around though... keep that shit tight), you may also constantly inject outdated hip-hop phrases into e-mails, lulls in conversation etc. (example-Oh Snap! or Fo shizzle), you can worry about the size of your pores and resort to using your wife's cosmetics, and by all means begin feeling insanley awkward around young beautiful women (come to think of it that is really no change at all).
Peace Brotha & come back to us-We need you!
Audi 5000 G!
Love,
El Heffe
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
From Lindsay 'Kalscheur' Walters:
1. Every occasion I have ever spent time with Aaron, it has been a raucous swingin' time--usually including at least one, if not many, moment(s) where I have laughed so hard I had to fight desperately in order to not throw up or pee my pants. Needless to say, he's a funny man. But I'm sure many who contribute to this blog will say likewise, so I want to draw on an earlier memory I have of Aaron. It includes a big yellow school bus, (#22, I think), an often scary but sometimes nice bus driver (named Pat, I think), and a small group of hoodlum boys that had staked out the back seats as their territory. Being younger and much less cool than those kids, I only observed the cool kids in the back from my middle-of-the-bus-seat. Aaron was one of those cool kids in the back seat. Troublemaker. But so cool. All the younger girls had crushes on him. I'm sure it was he who started the tradition of telling dirty jokes (the ones sixth graders find especially amusing) that was the established norm when we reached back-of-the-bus status. Aaron always made his presence known.
I also remember in those days one afternoon when I was playing with some neighbor kids in my yard and Aaron came strolling into the neighborhood on his trick bike, looking pretty awesome with his side-spiked blonde hair. It was a well known fact that Aaron had a crush on my neighbor, Missy Swanson. Aaron asked me (I felt pretty awesome) if I knew where Missy was. I'm sure he must have asked me because I, also, was exceptionally cool for my age--and not because Missy was my babysitter. That had to be a coincidence.
2. Cliche perhaps, but try hard to enjoy the ride, and don't take yourself too seriously. I sometimes catch myself feeling sad about decisions I made in the past, knowing that if I could go back I would have done things differently. But the truth is, I think we live our lives the best we can with whatever knowledge we have at that point. So rather than ruminating mournfully over mistakes of the past, it helps to chuckle at yourself, and piddley person you once were, and choose to live better with the day you have. And always keep a whoopy cushion on hand.
There. the end.
I also remember in those days one afternoon when I was playing with some neighbor kids in my yard and Aaron came strolling into the neighborhood on his trick bike, looking pretty awesome with his side-spiked blonde hair. It was a well known fact that Aaron had a crush on my neighbor, Missy Swanson. Aaron asked me (I felt pretty awesome) if I knew where Missy was. I'm sure he must have asked me because I, also, was exceptionally cool for my age--and not because Missy was my babysitter. That had to be a coincidence.
2. Cliche perhaps, but try hard to enjoy the ride, and don't take yourself too seriously. I sometimes catch myself feeling sad about decisions I made in the past, knowing that if I could go back I would have done things differently. But the truth is, I think we live our lives the best we can with whatever knowledge we have at that point. So rather than ruminating mournfully over mistakes of the past, it helps to chuckle at yourself, and piddley person you once were, and choose to live better with the day you have. And always keep a whoopy cushion on hand.
There. the end.
From Chris Dick:
I've got two words:
OPERATION CANVAS
Ask Aaron about it sometime, it's hilarious!
Happy Birthday Aaron,
OPERATION CANVAS
Ask Aaron about it sometime, it's hilarious!
Happy Birthday Aaron,
Thursday, February 5, 2009
From Your Sister:
Happy Birthday, Brother!
In the spirit of a new decade, and because we can't all be together to honour you on this day, I have asked some of your relatives and friends, this: 1) to recall their favourite memory with you in the past thirty years, and 2) to offer you some advice for the next thirty.
I'll get the party started.
1) While I couldn't recall one singular favourite memory with you, I will say this, about our childhood: while many of my friends were pulling the hair of and hurling abuse at their siblings, we were making up theme songs about driving through Iowa, and pretending to be the Neville brothers. Sure, I beat you up and made you eat sand every so often (due to my incredible physical prowess), and you once told me our backyard was a civil war battlefield, but we wisely spent more of our energy jointly making our parents and others suffer, rather than each other. That is what I call Team Effort.
Our capers continue. Like when you still come into my room in the early morning and scream "WAKEUPITSCHRISTMAS!!!!", even though it's, like, June. Or when you wore Bettina's sparkly jacket and played piano, pretending to be Elton John. That was funny, too. See, you're always good at cheering up, making boring things fun, and being silly. And in these kinds of times, isn't that really what matters? Admiring sparkly unicorns, and puppies that have the hiccups; discovering delicious pork fat, and dinosaur cupcakes; getting joy in the small things: now that is the real stuff of substance.
(And, by the way, I can't wait until you have kids and convince them that koalas are the most dangerous creatures on earth. I'll buy an eye patch, pretend one got me while living in Oz, and help persuade them.)
2) I don't have much advice for you, because I'm younger and still figuring out things for myself. Many of the people here have given you some great advice (I especially like Allison's), and so I'll just leave you with someone else's advice to someone else. That didn't make sense, but you know what I mean:
"The difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick." - Sarah Palin.
Just kidding. Here it is:
"I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer." - Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters To A Young Poet.
Love you lots. Happy 30th!
In the spirit of a new decade, and because we can't all be together to honour you on this day, I have asked some of your relatives and friends, this: 1) to recall their favourite memory with you in the past thirty years, and 2) to offer you some advice for the next thirty.
I'll get the party started.
1) While I couldn't recall one singular favourite memory with you, I will say this, about our childhood: while many of my friends were pulling the hair of and hurling abuse at their siblings, we were making up theme songs about driving through Iowa, and pretending to be the Neville brothers. Sure, I beat you up and made you eat sand every so often (due to my incredible physical prowess), and you once told me our backyard was a civil war battlefield, but we wisely spent more of our energy jointly making our parents and others suffer, rather than each other. That is what I call Team Effort.
Our capers continue. Like when you still come into my room in the early morning and scream "WAKEUPITSCHRISTMAS!!!!", even though it's, like, June. Or when you wore Bettina's sparkly jacket and played piano, pretending to be Elton John. That was funny, too. See, you're always good at cheering up, making boring things fun, and being silly. And in these kinds of times, isn't that really what matters? Admiring sparkly unicorns, and puppies that have the hiccups; discovering delicious pork fat, and dinosaur cupcakes; getting joy in the small things: now that is the real stuff of substance.
(And, by the way, I can't wait until you have kids and convince them that koalas are the most dangerous creatures on earth. I'll buy an eye patch, pretend one got me while living in Oz, and help persuade them.)
2) I don't have much advice for you, because I'm younger and still figuring out things for myself. Many of the people here have given you some great advice (I especially like Allison's), and so I'll just leave you with someone else's advice to someone else. That didn't make sense, but you know what I mean:
"The difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick." - Sarah Palin.
Just kidding. Here it is:
"I would like to beg you dear Sir, as well as I can, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer." - Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters To A Young Poet.
Love you lots. Happy 30th!
From Cousin Emily:
Aaron,
It is hard to believe that you are turning 30 years old. It seems like just a couple years ago that we were running around your parents' house in capes pretending to be Superman and Superwoman (me in Sally's bra and you in tights). I feel so lucky to have shared my childhood with you. I have many memories from early on, but one that sticks out is this ...
I was spending the night at your house when we were about four years old or so. (The Jolly Huntsmen were probably playing a gig or something like that.) We went to bed and were talking in the dark in your room, and I told you that it might be a good idea if we get married someday, seeing as we got along so well... You told me that it wasn't going to work out because we both had Indian blood in us. At the time, it was such a revelation!
I hope that as you set off on this adventure into the Northwoods you find everything your heart desires. May the next 30 years be as good as the first. You deserve only the best.
Love,
Emily
PS - I think the best part of this little project was viewing the evolution of Aaron's hair! ;-)
It is hard to believe that you are turning 30 years old. It seems like just a couple years ago that we were running around your parents' house in capes pretending to be Superman and Superwoman (me in Sally's bra and you in tights). I feel so lucky to have shared my childhood with you. I have many memories from early on, but one that sticks out is this ...
I was spending the night at your house when we were about four years old or so. (The Jolly Huntsmen were probably playing a gig or something like that.) We went to bed and were talking in the dark in your room, and I told you that it might be a good idea if we get married someday, seeing as we got along so well... You told me that it wasn't going to work out because we both had Indian blood in us. At the time, it was such a revelation!
I hope that as you set off on this adventure into the Northwoods you find everything your heart desires. May the next 30 years be as good as the first. You deserve only the best.
Love,
Emily
PS - I think the best part of this little project was viewing the evolution of Aaron's hair! ;-)
From Godmother Theresa:
So many great memories of Aaron going back to when I babysat him! He was the cutest toddler with that blond straight hair & beautiful blue eyes! Remember the matching blue “sailor suits” that you & Emily wore that Grandma Honey bought you?! Yes, Aaron friends...he did wear a little sailor suit! A stand out memory from a more recent year: backdrop – St. Lucia...on the plantation...Meg’s wedding reception. Aaron & I find ourselves on the lovely white porch in front of the tropical bar talking with the local St. Lucian bartender. We discovered “ting and vodkas” and have some wonderful and fun conversations. Aaron, you are such a talented, caring & unique individual who is so fun to be around! I’m proud you’re my Godson!
My advice for your next 30 – stay connected with family! Best said in a cross-stitched saying that hung in Grandma Honey’s family room: “Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.”
My advice for your next 30 – stay connected with family! Best said in a cross-stitched saying that hung in Grandma Honey’s family room: “Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.”
From Uncle Tim:
My fondest memory of Aaron dates back to like 1989 when you visited us in Hawaii with your family. You celebrated your 10th (??) birthday by hiking on a volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Your sister started to cry because she would never have her birthday on a volcano!
My advice – take Megan to a volcano on her birthday within the next 30 years so she can finally get over it!!
(This advice is approved by Megan)
My advice – take Megan to a volcano on her birthday within the next 30 years so she can finally get over it!!
(This advice is approved by Megan)
From Cousin Maddie:
My favorite memory with Aaron is Emily’s wedding when you & Sally dance to “Mustang Sally” …loved the air guitar :)
For your next 30 years, “you will always be young at heart!! “
For your next 30 years, “you will always be young at heart!! “
From Cousin Mitch:
My favorite experience with Aaron would be him & Bettina singing & rocking out to “Living on a Prayer” at Christmas Karaoke a few years ago.
Advise for next 30 years for cousin Aaron is “Hold on Your Half Way There!”
Advise for next 30 years for cousin Aaron is “Hold on Your Half Way There!”
From Noel:
My favorite memories of that jerk, Aaron Retka:
I can't narrow it down, but all three memories sort of converge in front of my house on the West side of Colorado Springs.
The first was a photo shoot for the Toilet Paper in which Aaron played model boy for a photo piece we did on weird Colorado laws. For some reason I still can't remember, I had offered to let Aaron park his piece of shit maroon (marooned!) VW Fox in our driveway because he was too lazy to renew the registration. Anyhow, there was a weird law that you couldn't throw missiles at cars or something and Aaron stood on the hood of that car and threw my son's bathtub missile at the windshield.
Some months later, my wife demanded that I move Aaron's car out into the alley because she was sick of looking at it. So I did. Then, many months later, I noticed it was gone. I told Aaron and I can't remember him even flinching. I think he was relieved that someone had simply disappeared it because of how lazy he is.
The third memory is also in front of my house--the day we acquired Chainsaw Hitler. It was a sunny and brisk fall Colorado Springs afternoon, not a cloud in the sky as we dabbed Min-Wax walnut stain onto his mustache and hair in preparation for the photo shoot in which we posed him in front of a rainbow flag for the cover of Newspeak. I guess it was just something about our togetherness. I'll never forget those moment and stuff.
My advice: Ixnay on the azinesslay, motherfucker!
Happy Birthday!
I can't narrow it down, but all three memories sort of converge in front of my house on the West side of Colorado Springs.
The first was a photo shoot for the Toilet Paper in which Aaron played model boy for a photo piece we did on weird Colorado laws. For some reason I still can't remember, I had offered to let Aaron park his piece of shit maroon (marooned!) VW Fox in our driveway because he was too lazy to renew the registration. Anyhow, there was a weird law that you couldn't throw missiles at cars or something and Aaron stood on the hood of that car and threw my son's bathtub missile at the windshield.
Some months later, my wife demanded that I move Aaron's car out into the alley because she was sick of looking at it. So I did. Then, many months later, I noticed it was gone. I told Aaron and I can't remember him even flinching. I think he was relieved that someone had simply disappeared it because of how lazy he is.
The third memory is also in front of my house--the day we acquired Chainsaw Hitler. It was a sunny and brisk fall Colorado Springs afternoon, not a cloud in the sky as we dabbed Min-Wax walnut stain onto his mustache and hair in preparation for the photo shoot in which we posed him in front of a rainbow flag for the cover of Newspeak. I guess it was just something about our togetherness. I'll never forget those moment and stuff.
My advice: Ixnay on the azinesslay, motherfucker!
Happy Birthday!
From Jeanette:
So, I've spent a week trying to pinpoint my favorite memory of Aaron. I can't -there are too many. It's like watching a movie that doesn't make sense but is hilarious and filled with silly costumes! Aaron is one of the funniest people I've ever met and I've had some of the best times of my life with him. My advice on turning 30? Ummm... don't freak out. Keep having fun, being hilarious and talented and creative. And never stop writing. Happy Birthday, Pumplemous!"
From Aunt Susan:
Dear Aaron,
Happy birthday to you! Wow, hard to believe you are 30, but that just means your Mom, Dad, and Aunts and Uncles are really old!! I hope your sojourn up at the cabin is all that you would hope it would be.
So...favorite memories and advice.....
For me, who came on to the scene after you were born, my memories of you are in my head as pictures. I remember the long drive with your Uncle Darrell on the weekend we first met (in Denver, btw) to Breckenridge and him talking on and on about his nephew, he was quite "wowed" by you! That would have been in November of 1979, so you were not quite a year. In my head I have the famous picture of you coming out of the football toy box (is that right?)--it must have been your first Christmas. Another favorite picture in my head was taken "at the cabin" in the fall. I was actually in Australia at the time working, but Darrell had taken Allie up to the cabin to visit you guys. There is a picture of you, Allie and Meg, rolling in the leaves on a sunny fall day---I think that was 1985. To me, that picture is just all there is to say about kids and how great it is to have them in your life--the sheer joy of rolling in leaves and laughing, laughing, laughing. The next picture I have was one that I had never seen until recently when we were at Theresa's and they were showing a home movie. You were ricing potatoes and Grandma Honey talking and you were making faces at the camera. It was so funny!! I still laugh when i think of that movie!! And of course, the more recent photos of you singing with Bettina, always very unique and very Aaron.
Oooo, now on to the advice. Well, turning 30...I am sure that seems very "old" to you, but of course to me, who is way beyond that, it does not seem old at all. Milestones are great to reflect and look back at what has been and forward to what will be, but actually they are a time to "reset your standards" ---30 seemed old when you were 20, now "reset" and look forward....30 is young compared to your parents!
The other thing I have learned is to savor the present, it is all we really have....I look back on the past with melancholy sometimes, but I try to look at today and say, I like my life at this point. I remember when the kids were growing up. As newborns, I thought, this is the best, the best age, then as little people starting to recognize their mom, I thought, no, this is a much better age than newborn! And so it went, with each change and each stage of their life I thought, "this is the best!" Now that they are adults, I think, this is good, this is the best. The trick of life is to not regret, but move on and make the "now" the best time ever.
And finally, faith. Last but least. I know this is an area, that you probably have different views than me, but what I have tried to tell Josh and Allie, is that, God is real. I know this. His power is great. I know this. There is a heaven. I know this. He does care about all of us. I know this. He cares about you. I know this.
Smile on your birthday and laugh a bit. Think of the past, ponder the future, but live in the present.
love you, Aunt Susan
Happy birthday to you! Wow, hard to believe you are 30, but that just means your Mom, Dad, and Aunts and Uncles are really old!! I hope your sojourn up at the cabin is all that you would hope it would be.
So...favorite memories and advice.....
For me, who came on to the scene after you were born, my memories of you are in my head as pictures. I remember the long drive with your Uncle Darrell on the weekend we first met (in Denver, btw) to Breckenridge and him talking on and on about his nephew, he was quite "wowed" by you! That would have been in November of 1979, so you were not quite a year. In my head I have the famous picture of you coming out of the football toy box (is that right?)--it must have been your first Christmas. Another favorite picture in my head was taken "at the cabin" in the fall. I was actually in Australia at the time working, but Darrell had taken Allie up to the cabin to visit you guys. There is a picture of you, Allie and Meg, rolling in the leaves on a sunny fall day---I think that was 1985. To me, that picture is just all there is to say about kids and how great it is to have them in your life--the sheer joy of rolling in leaves and laughing, laughing, laughing. The next picture I have was one that I had never seen until recently when we were at Theresa's and they were showing a home movie. You were ricing potatoes and Grandma Honey talking and you were making faces at the camera. It was so funny!! I still laugh when i think of that movie!! And of course, the more recent photos of you singing with Bettina, always very unique and very Aaron.
Oooo, now on to the advice. Well, turning 30...I am sure that seems very "old" to you, but of course to me, who is way beyond that, it does not seem old at all. Milestones are great to reflect and look back at what has been and forward to what will be, but actually they are a time to "reset your standards" ---30 seemed old when you were 20, now "reset" and look forward....30 is young compared to your parents!
The other thing I have learned is to savor the present, it is all we really have....I look back on the past with melancholy sometimes, but I try to look at today and say, I like my life at this point. I remember when the kids were growing up. As newborns, I thought, this is the best, the best age, then as little people starting to recognize their mom, I thought, no, this is a much better age than newborn! And so it went, with each change and each stage of their life I thought, "this is the best!" Now that they are adults, I think, this is good, this is the best. The trick of life is to not regret, but move on and make the "now" the best time ever.
And finally, faith. Last but least. I know this is an area, that you probably have different views than me, but what I have tried to tell Josh and Allie, is that, God is real. I know this. His power is great. I know this. There is a heaven. I know this. He does care about all of us. I know this. He cares about you. I know this.
Smile on your birthday and laugh a bit. Think of the past, ponder the future, but live in the present.
love you, Aunt Susan
From Jene Jackson:
1) Your favourite memory with Aaron: One word: Gynochat.
2) Some advice: Your heart is a muscle. It grows with use, and wear, and tear, and pain, and massage, and balm, and love.
2) Some advice: Your heart is a muscle. It grows with use, and wear, and tear, and pain, and massage, and balm, and love.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
From Nick:
When I think of my memories of Aaron, I have two distinct instances that pop into my head. The most vivid one comes from recent Christmas's at your parents house. Aaron's karaoke songs always crack me up. His intense singing, and the show he puts on is hilarious. I really dig the microphone swinging, and his duets with Bettina. One of the earliest memories I have with him was at the cabin. He and I would play on the hillside in front of the cabin, where it is wooded in front of the reeds. I remember trying to dig a cave, and the sand constantly collapsing in. I was also DEATHLY afraid of wood ticks, and after playing in that area, there would always be some on us. Aaron, who was used to them, would laugh at my paranoia!
As for the advice, in the words of Dave Matthews, "Eat, Drink and be Merry".
As for the advice, in the words of Dave Matthews, "Eat, Drink and be Merry".
From Mom:
Hard to write a short memories note when your firstborn is turning 30 !
- I remember being in my first trimester when I took my masters orals, and had to chomp on saltines during the exam.
- Colic --- kept me up day and night
- Teaching Allison how to take a sled down her living room stairs
- Chicken pox
- Teaching Nick how to jump off of his deck
- School programs
- Traveling to many places with the family
- How smart you are
- Falling apart when you graduated from high school
- How you have always cared about animals and people
- What a wonderful person you have turned out to be
Happy birthday I love you
- I remember being in my first trimester when I took my masters orals, and had to chomp on saltines during the exam.
- Colic --- kept me up day and night
- Teaching Allison how to take a sled down her living room stairs
- Chicken pox
- Teaching Nick how to jump off of his deck
- School programs
- Traveling to many places with the family
- How smart you are
- Falling apart when you graduated from high school
- How you have always cared about animals and people
- What a wonderful person you have turned out to be
Happy birthday I love you
From Cuz Allison:
My most vivid and dear memories of one Aaron Retka surface in his post-hockey, pre- hipster days. This was the start of the rad haircuts, the geek-chic glasses, the ironic old man sweaters. It might sound superficial to link Aaron solely to music and fashion, but for me, a clueless suburban teenager, his cool factor tipped the scales, hard core. When Bettina came on the scene some years later, their bombastic karaoke performances – limbs akimbo, voices howling – bowled me over. And it's pretty much been idolatry ever since.
Also, Aaron's got the Best. Laugh. Ever. I see him and Meggers, tucked into a couch on any given Retka Christmas, keeling over with those fantastic staccato chuckles. Oh, I love it.
Aaron, I've got no clue what the next three decades might hold for you, but I'm not worried. You've got such a fervent curiosity and an elegant way about you. Keep cooking and drinking wine and traveling. Build your homestead, celebrate your wife, make music, love your dog.
The rest will work itself out.
From Jana Flesher:
Favourite Memory in the Past 30 Years: The day we had a Buffy quote off that lasted for an hour and 45 minutes, wherein he confessed to me that he had a dream the night before that he was wearing chain mail socks. I knew then that this was not your typical "hipster-who-likes-to-pretend-that-he-used-to-be-(or-is)-a-big-nerd-because-nerdiness-is-somewhat-trendy." Nope, this guy was allll nerd.
Advice for the Next Thirty Years: Obey Your Dungeon Master
Advice for the Next Thirty Years: Obey Your Dungeon Master
From Uncle Dan:
I remember distinctly the day you’re mom and dad brought Aaron home. Sue and I had been instructed to be at your house when they arrived with the bundle of joy (aka Aaron). From the top of the stairs, we snapped pics of T and S coming into the house with S holding A. Everyone was all bundled up, it being Feb and winter and all. T had his stocking cap on, kind of cocked over to one side of his head like he always wore it. He also had that grin on his face that said “well, not bad, eh?”. Sally looked tired but glad to be home. We got everyone into the house, unbundled them, then we all had some beers - typical Retka hospitality.
Oh, how I wish I could find that picture now but of course it’s buried in some obscure photo album. You’ll have to settle for my description.
Oh, how I wish I could find that picture now but of course it’s buried in some obscure photo album. You’ll have to settle for my description.
From James Tidd:
Favourite Memory from the Past 30 Years: 40 hands and bbq at his last summer - a truly fun night.
Advice For the Next 30: My advice for the future would be to get back on the musical bandwagon. I recently saw a 'great redneck hope' vid on utube, loved it most of my friends love it too. Not necessarily that, but anything musical. Take a guitar with you - you never know you may come back with 3 albums worth of stuff, lyrics about frozen stuff - brilliant! Will sell millions.
Advice For the Next 30: My advice for the future would be to get back on the musical bandwagon. I recently saw a 'great redneck hope' vid on utube, loved it most of my friends love it too. Not necessarily that, but anything musical. Take a guitar with you - you never know you may come back with 3 albums worth of stuff, lyrics about frozen stuff - brilliant! Will sell millions.
From Jeff G:
Happy birthday sucka. Welcome to the 30+ club, where all the secrets of life are revealed. You're through the looking glass now, my friend.
So as far as some indelible memories I think I'll keep it short and say two things:
1. The Israelite
2. Mint Juleps
As far as advice, well, I'll leave that to James Joyce:
"Hold to the now, the here, through which all future plunges to the past."
-- Stephen Dedalus, Ulysses
Woot!
So as far as some indelible memories I think I'll keep it short and say two things:
1. The Israelite
2. Mint Juleps
As far as advice, well, I'll leave that to James Joyce:
"Hold to the now, the here, through which all future plunges to the past."
-- Stephen Dedalus, Ulysses
Woot!
From Aunt Sue:
Dear Aaron,
Wow – 30!!!!! Your mom and dad are too young to have a 30-year old!!!:>) I am excited for you and your time set apart at the cabin! It should be beautiful, challenging and very reflective. God’s nature is breath-taking, even in MN in the winter and permeates the soul with peace and joy.
One of my favorite memories of your childhood, Aaron, was at Grandma Honey’s on Christmas Day when you jumped into and out of your new toy box with your cartoon underwear, such an embarrassing gift to receive!! You were the great entertainer!! I wished I could siphon off some of your energy! You were adorable!!
Now, Aaron, may you live with that peace and joy as you usher in the new decade (ah, to be 30 again!!!) Don’t sweat the small stuff and take time to smell the roses (or pine trees!)
God bless you, Aaron, and Happy 30th!
Love,
Aunt Sue
Wow – 30!!!!! Your mom and dad are too young to have a 30-year old!!!:>) I am excited for you and your time set apart at the cabin! It should be beautiful, challenging and very reflective. God’s nature is breath-taking, even in MN in the winter and permeates the soul with peace and joy.
One of my favorite memories of your childhood, Aaron, was at Grandma Honey’s on Christmas Day when you jumped into and out of your new toy box with your cartoon underwear, such an embarrassing gift to receive!! You were the great entertainer!! I wished I could siphon off some of your energy! You were adorable!!
Now, Aaron, may you live with that peace and joy as you usher in the new decade (ah, to be 30 again!!!) Don’t sweat the small stuff and take time to smell the roses (or pine trees!)
God bless you, Aaron, and Happy 30th!
Love,
Aunt Sue
From Dad:
Favorite Memories of Aaron
1) His Conception.
Sally was drunker than hell on beer ( She hadn’t discovered her fondness for wine yet)after one of our Wednesday softball beer busts. She was quite frisky and forced me to do it. We won the game, I get drunk and had sex. The trifecta.
2) Aaron’s Birth
He was the first Grandchild in My and Sally’s family so imagine the attention this got. We had to buy all kinds of kid crap that we hadn’t ever envisioned needing. It cost us a fortune. If I could have invested that money in CD’s we be living in Monte Carlo today.
3) An early Christmas
It must have been around when Aaron was 3 or 4 and he spent a lot of time on Christmas eve popping up and down playing hide and seek out of a giant football toy box. We had a lot of fun with that. I’m sure it instilled Aaron’s love for Football, which continues to this day.
4) 14 years of Hockey practices and Games
We spent a lot of time together at hockey practices and game between Mites and Midgets. His size and skills improved over the years. Who says Hockey is not a lifetime sport? Sally hates the sport, Aaron could careless, but my daughter and son in law from Blimy old England both love the game. Figure that.
Advice for Turning 30
Have Fun.
Find something you are good at and make a living doing it.
Find someone who loves you, likes what you like, and make a life together (it looks like you have a real good start here).
Make sure that you can care for yourself till you are old like me and Sally, because the government isn’t going to do it for you. (especially our Future Governments)
Reaching 30 is nothing. Wait till you are looking ahead to age 70.
Happy Birthday and Good Luck
Dad
1) His Conception.
Sally was drunker than hell on beer ( She hadn’t discovered her fondness for wine yet)after one of our Wednesday softball beer busts. She was quite frisky and forced me to do it. We won the game, I get drunk and had sex. The trifecta.
2) Aaron’s Birth
He was the first Grandchild in My and Sally’s family so imagine the attention this got. We had to buy all kinds of kid crap that we hadn’t ever envisioned needing. It cost us a fortune. If I could have invested that money in CD’s we be living in Monte Carlo today.
3) An early Christmas
It must have been around when Aaron was 3 or 4 and he spent a lot of time on Christmas eve popping up and down playing hide and seek out of a giant football toy box. We had a lot of fun with that. I’m sure it instilled Aaron’s love for Football, which continues to this day.
4) 14 years of Hockey practices and Games
We spent a lot of time together at hockey practices and game between Mites and Midgets. His size and skills improved over the years. Who says Hockey is not a lifetime sport? Sally hates the sport, Aaron could careless, but my daughter and son in law from Blimy old England both love the game. Figure that.
Advice for Turning 30
Have Fun.
Find something you are good at and make a living doing it.
Find someone who loves you, likes what you like, and make a life together (it looks like you have a real good start here).
Make sure that you can care for yourself till you are old like me and Sally, because the government isn’t going to do it for you. (especially our Future Governments)
Reaching 30 is nothing. Wait till you are looking ahead to age 70.
Happy Birthday and Good Luck
Dad
From Bettina:
In the past ten years we have far too many memories for me to pick
just one. And besides, our tenth anniversary is coming up, so I'll
save the schlocky stuff for that.
First, foremost and forever, I love laughing with you.
I hope you find what you're looking for in that cabin in those frozen
woods. I hope you return rejuvenated, invigorated, and with renewed
passion for ..... filling in the blank.
I hope that I'll be here in the next 30 years with you, so I'm sure
I'll be providing unsolicited advice (read: nagging) many, many times
along the way. My advice to you is to be nice to me, don't let the dog
freeze, and come home in one piece. We'll figure out the rest from
there. I love you.
Vroom.
just one. And besides, our tenth anniversary is coming up, so I'll
save the schlocky stuff for that.
First, foremost and forever, I love laughing with you.
I hope you find what you're looking for in that cabin in those frozen
woods. I hope you return rejuvenated, invigorated, and with renewed
passion for ..... filling in the blank.
I hope that I'll be here in the next 30 years with you, so I'm sure
I'll be providing unsolicited advice (read: nagging) many, many times
along the way. My advice to you is to be nice to me, don't let the dog
freeze, and come home in one piece. We'll figure out the rest from
there. I love you.
Vroom.
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