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G-Man
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« on: December 19, 2023, 08:54:11 AM » |
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Evan and Bonnie came by the house this Saturday night to help me and my incredibly inclusive family celebrate this year's holiday season. Of course no pictures on my phone so you'll just have to take my word.
We held off lighting the candles on the last night of Hannukah (Friday) so we could light them with all of the Jewish folk coming over that night. It was very nice and as it was the last night, several people took turns lighting the candles including my cousins and their kids, as Evan said the blessing.
Then it was more drinks and conversation while the table was set. Ever have Peanut Butter flavored rum? Like drinking a Snickers bar. Had 2 shots. Felt warm a fuzzy. Then some rum punch. Then a cinnamon flavored shot, then I think another rum punch. The call to Grace to table was made and something came over me that I couldn't hold back. What I saw and felt was overwhelming and ALMOST brought me to tears.... allergies season you know........
So instead of Cheryl or her Mom Blessing the table as usual, I asked everyone to pull it in close (about 30 of us) and I let them all know what was on my mind. In MY little house, between the Christmas tree and the Menorah, there were Jews, Christians, and Muslims. There were Black people, White people, Brown people, and people who are mixtures of them all. There were 4 generations present. There were Immigrants and 4th generation Americans. We ALL own homes, we all drive new cars, ALL our Children went to, or are going to college. We are all living the American Dream. What more can we ask for? I gave thanks for my in-laws being there and for all they've done to give us what we have and for providing the love with which all this was built. man, there was A lot of love in that house.
And then the food. Oh My Goodness. My brother-in-law found out late in life that he's a chef. Tray upon tray walked in through the front door. All food groups were present.... Pork, Chicken, Beef, and Fish. All done up Jamaican style, Some Jerked (spicy). Then there were Ribs smoked to perfection, and Lasagna, and Kugle, and a few hero sandwiches even. My other crazy Bro-in-law, the Rasta, brought the WHOLE Prosciutto. Yup, the whole thing and he sliced off of it as it hung in some kind of contraption. We'll be eating for weeks.
Was a really nice night.
Happy Holidays to yous ALL and Peace be with you!
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Bigwolf
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« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2023, 09:31:30 AM » |
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Now that is a great story! Good to hear!
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carolinarider09
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« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2023, 09:36:28 AM » |
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Happy Holidays to you yours and Peace to all mankind.
Live the dream. Life is short.
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16632
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2023, 11:07:10 AM » |
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Good times! Great to hear and very well told.  |
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robin
Member
Posts: 2335
Get on it and RIDE!!
Hardwick NJ
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« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2023, 11:12:57 AM » |
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Happy Holidays to you Gary and your family!!!!
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12615
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2023, 11:36:59 AM » |
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It was our pleasure to be with your terrific family again for a holiday feast
My mouth was indeed, for a spell, on fire, from that wonderful jerk chicken lol
But the other chicken dishes put out that fire The food was all pretty darn good and your brother's in law were so gracious to have spent all that time working on the food.
Could not believe how Eric is now 6'5" at least, seems like yesterday he was a squirt
Now we have to get our bikes fixed so we can ride
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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henry 008
Member
Posts: 1531
BRP
willard, oh
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« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2023, 12:09:44 PM » |
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Great read! Happy Holidays to you and yours  |
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Safe Winds... Brother  |
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G-Man
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« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2023, 12:11:29 PM » |
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Happy Holidays to you Gary and your family!!!!
From Me and Cheryl right back to you and Judy! |
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Savago
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« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2023, 01:53:24 PM » |
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So instead of Cheryl or her Mom Blessing the table as usual, I asked everyone to pull it in close (about 30 of us) and I let them all know what was on my mind. In MY little house, between the Christmas tree and the Menorah, there were Jews, Christians, and Muslims. There were Black people, White people, Brown people, and people who are mixtures of them all. There were 4 generations present. There were Immigrants and 4th generation Americans. We ALL own homes, we all drive new cars, ALL our Children went to, or are going to college. We are all living the American Dream. What more can we ask for? I gave thanks for my in-laws being there and for all they've done to give us what we have and for providing the love with which all this was built. man, there was A lot of love in that house.
I think you just described one of the many things that I truly love about America. We should all consider ourselves truly blessed in living in such great country, where people of all origins can be together to celebrate and work for a better future for our families and mother country (in my case as an adopted son). |
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Valkorado
Member
Posts: 10500
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2023, 02:30:18 PM » |
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2023, 05:59:16 PM » |
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How the world should be. Brings to mind the last verse of the song "Christmas time is here"
"Christmas time is here families drawing near
oh that we could always see
such spirit in the year"
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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RDAbull
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« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2023, 11:33:51 AM » |
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Thanks for bringing all of your family gathering to our family.
It is really great to see a celebration like this.
I want to come to your house for Christmas/Hanukkah next year.
Happy Hanukkah, belated
Merry Christmas, forwardly.
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2015 GoldWing Trike
1999 Valkyrie Interstate Trike, gone but not forgotten
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G-Man
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« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2023, 12:01:03 PM » |
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Thanks for bringing all of your family gathering to our family.
It is really great to see a celebration like this.
I want to come to your house for Christmas/Hanukkah next year.
Happy Hanukkah, belated
Merry Christmas, forwardly.
Roger, please accept this as an open invitation to you and the beautiful Mrs.! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
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G-Man
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« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2023, 12:07:41 PM » |
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So instead of Cheryl or her Mom Blessing the table as usual, I asked everyone to pull it in close (about 30 of us) and I let them all know what was on my mind. In MY little house, between the Christmas tree and the Menorah, there were Jews, Christians, and Muslims. There were Black people, White people, Brown people, and people who are mixtures of them all. There were 4 generations present. There were Immigrants and 4th generation Americans. We ALL own homes, we all drive new cars, ALL our Children went to, or are going to college. We are all living the American Dream. What more can we ask for? I gave thanks for my in-laws being there and for all they've done to give us what we have and for providing the love with which all this was built. man, there was A lot of love in that house.
I think you just described one of the many things that I truly love about America. We should all consider ourselves truly blessed in living in such great country, where people of all origins can be together to celebrate and work for a better future for our families and mother country (in my case as an adopted son). I'm always thankful to the folks who took the risk. My great grandparents and my wife took the risk. Came here with what they had and went to work. Different people, different times, different circumstances. But same goal. |
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G-Man
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« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2023, 12:08:24 PM » |
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Happy Holidays to you yours and Peace to all mankind.
Live the dream. Life is short.
Ain't it the truth! |
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6958
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2023, 05:10:21 PM » |
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Dang Gary, you're making me jealous that I wasn't there!
Sounds like a wonderful celebration!
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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Robert
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« Reply #16 on: December 24, 2023, 07:22:13 PM » |
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That sounds like an awesome get together. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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TTG53#1717
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« Reply #17 on: December 25, 2023, 08:02:56 PM » |
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When I was a little kid growing up in NJ I went to Parochial school with Dominican nuns. They told us it was forbidden to enter a non Catholic house of worship and we should avoid close friends of other religions.
My best pal on my block was a Jewish kid my age and my parents approved.
His maternal grandparents both had 2 lines of numbers tattooed on their wrists. They were Engineers and had met in the camps, later married and our government brought them over here.
I was always included in history lessons they held during their visits and gained from first hand knowledge of the Holocaust, its causes and effects. I took part in times when we ate fried grasshoppers and chocolate covered ants to commemorate times when that was all they had to eat in captivity. There was a bookcase with Mein Kampf, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and other books that were referenced as we got older and the lessons became more intense.
I had to move away at 10 years old, but those formative years with friends of the Jewish faith lead me to always enjoy and embrace the opportunities to create new and continuing friendships along with enjoying celebrations.
Shabbat Shalom
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‘97 Standard Purple/White
‘13 XL Seventy Two
‘54 KHK
VRCC 1717
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LadyDraco
Member
Posts: 1865
TISE
Bastian, VA. Some of the best roads in the East
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« Reply #18 on: December 26, 2023, 04:39:06 AM » |
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Seasons Greetings and Happy New year
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Life is what you make of it~If it don't fit make alterations...
One does not speak unless one knows.
Never underestimate the power of a woman !
It's a Poor Craftsman who blames their Tools !
This is the way
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da prez
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« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2023, 06:43:58 AM » |
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Gary/Cheryl ,Evan/Bonnie. May the coming year be full of family and love. May the roads be smooth and the storms behind you.
da prez
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G-Man
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« Reply #20 on: December 26, 2023, 05:55:25 PM » |
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When I was a little kid growing up in NJ I went to Parochial school with Dominican nuns. They told us it was forbidden to enter a non Catholic house of worship and we should avoid close friends of other religions.
My best pal on my block was a Jewish kid my age and my parents approved.
His maternal grandparents both had 2 lines of numbers tattooed on their wrists. They were Engineers and had met in the camps, later married and our government brought them over here.
I was always included in history lessons they held during their visits and gained from first hand knowledge of the Holocaust, its causes and effects. I took part in times when we ate fried grasshoppers and chocolate covered ants to commemorate times when that was all they had to eat in captivity. There was a bookcase with Mein Kampf, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and other books that were referenced as we got older and the lessons became more intense.
I had to move away at 10 years old, but those formative years with friends of the Jewish faith lead me to always enjoy and embrace the opportunities to create new and continuing friendships along with enjoying celebrations.
Shabbat Shalom
Very nice. Inclusion and acceptance for all! |
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G-Man
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« Reply #21 on: December 26, 2023, 05:57:48 PM » |
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Gary/Cheryl ,Evan/Bonnie. May the coming year be full of family and love. May the roads be smooth and the storms behind you.
da prez
To you and yours as well ! |
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cmawest
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« Reply #22 on: December 31, 2023, 03:47:44 PM » |
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i am a Christian minister, got that way after 31 years with the Christian Motorcyclists assn. and a lifetime of Christian church. i consider Oss to be one of my best long term friends, with all that is happening in the world today i'd like to remind everyone of a few facts. !. Jesus was a Palistinian Jew. 2. it was Jewish men that wrote the bible. 3. had it not been for our Jewish brothers we wouldn't have the bible, hence we wouldn't know Jesus. 4. Evan is a 1st class guy, to know him has always been an honor to me. if Jesus is Gods son, and god is my father, and Israel is the "apple of Gods eye" and i was created by God and consider myself his son, then Jesus is my blood brother, as is Evan. wow ! my brother is the apple of Gods eye. God bless you Bonnie for putting up with him for so many years. Bless you my friend, your family and all your friends. hope to see you this summer. by the way i still have a pristeen valk tourer looking for a new home.  |
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