A Man Takes His Bride

Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of two very special people. Joey and 'Nagel' are man and wife, as of this writing and I just had to sit down and comment on the beauty of this union.

I could not make the journey to The Rock Church, in Sacramento, California, but I got to view this blessed event online. Thanks to technology and my brother-in-law, Christopher Lombardo, we got to see every minute of the Wedding, via streamed video. But there is more to this story that I want to share with you.

When a man takes a woman to be his wife, there is much responsibility. He has chosen to spend the remainder of his life with that woman....and these two are so crazy in Love with each other, I cannot imagine anything but GREAT things for them.

Bishop Nathaniel J. Wilson had a bit of fun at the expense of the excited couple, too. As he closed the ceremony, Bishop took great care in seeing that he had the correct page. Then, once on the page, he s-l-o-w-l-y enunciated each syllable of each word in a way only he could do it. And why not? He has watched our beloved Angelica Rose grow from a little girl into the Godly woman she is today. And so, after what seemed an eternity (I am sure), the good Bishop pronounced that they were Husband and Wife, in the Name of Jesus and allowed them their first married kiss.

Angelica...Nagel....Angel, I Love you so very much! Congratulations to you and your new husband. I wish you only the best and I am convinced you shall have nothing but the best, because you have served God since I've known you. Joey is a good man and a Godly man and I trust that you will be in good hands, as you begin Life's journey in a new chapter. We look forward to the day that you announce the pending arrival of a new member of the extended Lombardo Family. Yes, I know your name is Ladd now, hun....but you will forever be a Lombardo, too. I Love You!

Joey...welcome to our Family. I am 2500 miles away tonight, but I laughed and cried with you at the ceremony and it was such a blessing to be able to witness your Special Day. My only regret is that I could not be with you all tonight, because it would have been my great honor to help video your Wedding. I know enough about you to know that you are a great fit for Angel. And it's refreshing to see two young people so crazy about one another. Keep that! Work at keeping that always! Friends first, lovers and the rest will follow. May you both have many years of happiness, a home full of children (hahaha) and a bright and wonderful future.

With Much Love,
Uncle Jim....er....Erv :-)

p.s. Chris.....one down.....FIVE to go! Love you all!

Sometimes, You Just Have To STAND STILL and Marvel

It's been a long several months, here in the land of the Automobile. Michigan has been in a downspin for 5 years now and the news has only gotten worse, since the US Economy has joined the 'party'. As a result, it's been a difficult task to find good news on any front. Stay with me, cuz it's gonna get better, I promise!

My Mom moved to Sacramento in January, as I noted in an earlier post and I got to spend six days of quality time in town, visiting my Sister and her 'Brady Bunch-like clan'. I stayed at their home, because Mom's was really packed with boxes....and I am allergic to cats, so it was just best to sleep in Weezy and Chris's travel trailer. Even in January, it is about freezing (though not by much), so the little ceramic heater was put to work and did quite nicely.

During my visit, I had the unfortunate chance to see my little buddy and nephew, Christopher battling yet again against Crohn's Disease...something he was diagnosed with in late 2007. He had just come home a few days earlier from the hospital and now his fever was spiking and he was headed back.

Tears streaming down his face, Christopher was pleading not to have to go back there. He hates the hospital, but that is because he has been there so often the last year, or so. The once fun lovin little guy has lost a lot of weight (because he has a really hard time eating anything) and his eyes are sunken. He looks very gaunt and not anything like I know of him. The sight of my nephew begging not to be taken back was hard to deal with.

Months go by and finally the trips to the hospital stop. Doctors have found the solution...or have they? The GJ tube and Mic-Key button-both have been getting the nutrition to his body that it needs and he begins growing again. But the good news just kept coming. You have to read the account here and let my brother in law tell the story. WOW!

Fast forward to this past week and Christopher may lose the GJ Tube and Mic-Key button. On top of that, his wish to the 'Make a Wish' foundation was to go to Euro Disney, in Paris, or Hawaii. It looks like Euro Disney is gonna happen and I couldn't be happier for Christopher (and the rest of the Family!).

Look, I have three healthy kids. When you see a child who is suffering with any illness, if you are at least half-alive, you feel for them. And when a miracle happens, you celebrate, too! God is blessing Christopher and for the first time in MANY weeks, there is something good to talk about. What GREAT News!

As for the Red Wings....I can talk about them and their bid for their 5th Stanley Cup in 12 years later on. For now, I wanna celebrate God's Healing Touch.