My special Valentines.

[Padraig18]

Tony knows that he's the love of my life, and since he doesn't have a jealous bone in his body, he'll understand why I have other 'Valentines' in addition to him--- two, in fact.

The first is my brother Dary. He's not particularly handsome, and he's rather shy and quiet, but anyone who only noticed those things about him would miss what's truly important about him. He's a big guy--- 6'4" and rail thin--- but he's strong, patient and rock-steady, and he has a heart that's as big as all outdoors. If he's ever been afraid, and I'm sure he has been, he's never shown it. From the day our parents died, Dary has been there for my brothers and me, a granite rock in the stormy seas of life. Like a lot of Irish men, he's not big on saying "I love you" or things of that kind, but that he does has always shown in every thing he does--- from working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to see that we all had all of the advantages everyone wants for a child growing up in America, to his rough hugs and gruff 'Well done, lad' when we did something good at school or otherwise. I love you more than words can say, Dary.

The second would be my sister-in-law, Siobahn, as good a mother as any lad could ever ask for. Short and plump, and with a ready laugh, without a second thought she put aside whatever dreams a newlywed had about her future and plunged into the task of being a mother to four boys. That Siobahn is a healer of things could never be denied, because it was she who patiently dried the tears, who stroked our hair and dispensed the hugs and soothing words, and taught four boys that it was indeed possible to live, laugh and love again. It was she who provided us a home that was always a place of refuge and peace. Whenever I hear the word 'mother', it is your sweet face that my mind's eye sees, Siobahn, and not a day passes that I do not thank God for the gift you have been in my life.

Happy Valentine's Day, Dary and Siobahn!

:loveya: :)

[Bunny]

1. That was very sweet!

You and your brothers are very lucky. If I may ask, how did your parents die? And were you born in Ireland?

[Padraig18]

2. Hi!

My parents both died in a bombing, while attending a wedding reception for a cousin of my Mam's. I was born in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, which is a bit east-northeast of Galway.

:)

[Bunny]

7. Well ,I am so sorry for your loss.

That must have been devastating. Should I presume it had something to do with the Troubles? If you do not care to discuss, that's fine.

Happy VD to you and Tony!! Do you have any special plans?

:)

[Padraig18]

8. Aye, it had to do with The Troubles.

Thanks for the VD wishes. We're going out for dinner, and then coming home for a quiet night here at home, just us two and a bottle of wine. :)

[Bertha Venation]

3. Paddy, this is a moving tribute.

Thanks for sharing it with us all.

Happy VD, as my sisters and I say!

(I hope one day we can meet you & Tony. You both seem wonderful lads. ;))

[Padraig18]

4. YW, and TY!

It's not even half the praise than they both richly deserve.

We'd love to meet you some time, too; maybe we can come east this summer, when Tony gets his vacation. :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

5. The Venation B&B is yours for the asking.

Mi casa es su casa, cutie pie. :loveya:

[Padraig18]

6. Awwww....

:loveya: , too!

[Lostmessage]

14. What are you doing for Valentines Day BV?

I am getting drunk!

[Bertha Venation]

18. late reply . . .

We got hair cuts - yay!
Then we washed the Tercel - yay! Who knew it was maroon?!
Then we had chili dogs, one of Mrs. V.'s favorites.
Then we had our presents... she loved hers and I loved mine. :loveya:
Now she's watching a show on Food TV about chocolate, and I'm surfing. :shrug:

Non-traditional VD, I guess, but we're happy.

Don't get too drunk, sweetie. You don't want to wake up with your face in the throne.

[Lostmessage]

20. Hey, I got my haircut today also.........LOL That's funny about the car

She cut my hair real short and I am still in shock. My hair was down to my waist and now it is between my ears and shoulders.

I think that I like it.

Post a picture of your haircuts. I don't have anyone around to take one of me right now but as soon as I do I will post mine.

You guys are so romantic. :loveya:

I fell asleep while the lady was cutting my hair LOL. I woke up and all of my curls were on the floor and I freaked out.

I love it about you washing your car and found out that it's maroon.

[Bertha Venation]

21. holy crap! did you want your hair that short?!

I've asked for haircuts before (at the haircut mills, Supercuts, Fantastic Sam's, etc., where, unlike "Cheers," NO ONE knows your name) where I had to say "don't be afraid to make it too short." I like my hair very short and in the past stylists have been afraid to indulge me. But one time my little plan backfired and I got sheared. :shrug:

There's a pic of my haircut (and the "new" car") in this thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=761028

I don't have a photo of Mrs. V. w/ her new do; suffice to say that I think it is beautiful and she is thrilled with it.

[Lostmessage]

23. I look like the Dutch boy on the paint can

Jesus Christ after I slept on my hair and I ran a brush through it this morning It came out looking like the Dutch Boy off of the paint can.

I slightly remember what happened and it went down like this.

She told me that I was too old to be wearing long hair. In the back of my head I thought that she was right and I told her to cut it half way up my back. She kept brushing my hair out and I fell asleep and the next thing that I knew was I felt air on my neck.

I had high lites and a single process color put in my hair. I had some waxing done and I was charged $225.00 dollars excluding the tip.

I am still freaking out.

Your haircut is cute and I bet Mrs. V's is also.

You guys are such a happy couple and I envy you for that.

:loveya:

[Bertha Venation]

24. who the hell is anyone to tell anyone they're too old to wear

their hair a certain way?!

I'm told I'm too fat for a butch haircut -- fuck that!

:grr:

Sorry. I get a little hot under the collar when people presume to tell others how to live.

It'll grow, LM. It'll grow. :hug:

[Padraig18]

9. Kick for dary and Siobahn.

:)

[Liberal Christian]

10. And kick again

because it's such a great tribute :)

[Padraig18]

11. Thank you!

:)

[jus_the_facts]

12. Happy Valentines Day to You......

.....that was truly moving! :hi: :hug: :loveya:

[Padraig18]

13. Happy Valentine's day to you, too!

:hi::hug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

15. Kick again for a great story.

You have a terrific brother and sister-in-law.

[tigereye]

16. Happy Valentines to you and your sweetie Padraig

best to you. That was very moving.

[arwalden]

17. Happy Valentine's Day!!

-- Allen

[latebloomer]

19. That was beautiful!

They both sound amazing, and so are you!

[bearfan454]

22. That was beautiful.

Very moving.