Friday, August 21, 2009

AUGUST 29TH!

We were born on the same day AUGUST 29TH - Fun, huh? And we were married on our birthdays - AUGUST 29TH!! I am not big on what all the "signs" mean, however we are true Virgos. :-) We like things neat and in order - and yet closets and drawers are usually askew.


Virgo
August 23 - September 22
Virgo is the sixth Sign of the Zodiac, to be exact, and that's the way Virgos like it: exacting. Those born under this Sign are forever the butt of jokes for being so picky and critical (and they can be), but their 'attention to detail' is for a reason: to help others. Virgos, more than any other Sign, were born to serve, and it gives them great joy. They are also tailor-made for the job, since they are industrious, methodical and efficient. The sense of duty borne by these folks is considerable, and it ensures that they will always work for the greater good.

And we both are truly servants - in our work, to our families and friends and those in need.Our home is designed to serve by being a safe place where the tired can rest, the hungry can eat, the cold can get warm the lonely can find understanding, the happy can celebrate, the scared are calmed, the despairing feel hopeful and a place where the the peaceful gather. There are white candles in every window all the time lighting the way - most all are welcome here - and I make no apologies for our conditions. No one can bear arms here, no violence, no expressions of hate - we also decided years ago that our life - our love - our home is a place of purpose and celebration and all who enter are invited to experience that with us - and in turn we are privileged with celebrating others - if our love and our home is not a celebration to someone then that energy must stay out. I love the word celebrate. :-)

Mu husband Skipp was adopted - raised Jewish - and was quite privileged in his life. By heritage/birth, he was one of 12 children, - and is Blackfoot Indian and Swedish. He and one of his older brothers were number five and six of the 12 - born during troubled times for their folks and both given up for adoption to the same Jewish family in Newton, MA. We found his biological family in 1990. His birth-Mom died six months before. His birth -Dad - a real gem as are all the other brothers and sisters. Skipp is an amazing musician, singer/songwriter, guitarist and classically trained pianist. He is a beautiful soul of good intention, kindness, loving Dad and Grand-Dad, loyal to a fault, hard working guy that I adore and love beyond expression. here he is with all of his sons - Ethan (the one who went to Japan in the Navy), Adam - his eldest and in his wedding garb - Skipp, oh so proud - Christian - his son that was taken away 30 years ago and we found five years ago and Dolan - my boy - always wears a tie. :-)



I was born of in Connecticut and grew up in Milford. My Mom is 100% Italian - and my Dad- Austrian and Irish. They had a good marriage and I learned about how a man and a woman are suppose to treat one another from watching them. I learned about being a good neighbor and friend. We always had a family member or neighborhood kid staying with us that was down on their luck. My Dad taught me how to pitch - fast soft ball. I was really good and pitched no-hitters. We were raised Catholic-Italian and followed the traditions hard and true. And the abuse I experienced from the teacher? I never brought it home - I never told. None of us did - of the four we all kept our secret. I have one sister, older, heehee - she is a nurse. We were four years apart so we were not really close as kids - but now - we are bonded tightly and the best of friends.

Our wedding was so beautiful. Right here in our yard surrounded by a circle of torches with our closest family and friends to witness and celebrate. Skipp sang some of his original songs and we sang "In My Life" together for all those who attended. We broke bread and shared wine and Skipp sang a Jewish prayer and an Indian prayer was read. My Mom read "Love is patient-love is kind" from the bible. And everyone sang "Let There Be Peace On Earth".





Two amazing songs, huh? It really was a beautiful evening and celebration of two souls who found one another and blended into each other with passion, purpose, unconditional love and servitude - and music - oh such sweet music.














Sorry for the horrible quality of these photos - I took pictures of pictures from our wedding album. There were no digital cameras back then. Oh my. I think you get the gist though, the first one is us walking out together, the middle is the breaking of the bread and the end is us singing 'In My Life' to our guests. And yes, Skipp is wearing a purple silk suit and he does have feathers braided in to his hair. I swear he does! :-) I am wearing a white silky sun dress and I have real flowers on a long clip in my hair with ribbons hanging down.

And so we prayed and sang and danced and read from the Bible and broke bread and said our vows and we laughed and we cried and we celebrated our purpose, our passion, our love, our family and friends and the wonders of nature that surrounded us. We have kept every promise - stayed true to every vow and have loved unconditionally and passionately and shared it with many - it is all much bigger than us. Love is like that. :-)

And so this week I/we build with anticipation as we remember the days before - the joy - the hope - the people - some are gone now - and new one's have been born -
and so it goes..so it goes.............

Love Gail
peace.....

43 comments:

Cindy said...

Thanks Gail for showing this part of your life. I have to be honest, I don't think I ever saw a purple silk suit. I think it is great what your house and home mean to you. Obviously it is one glorious love filled home, I like that you welcome into your home like souls with similar beliefs and if they don't like it , get out...no toxicity needed. Happy anniversary to both. Ours is on the 28th. Take care my friend , have a great day.

Eileen said...

I'm just reading posts quick between running errands, but I had to listen to both songs (two of my favorites too! And how beautifully appropriate for your beautiful wedding!), and I want to comment quick before I run out again.
I LOVED this post!
Let me wish you both Happy Birthday! And also a very Happy Anniversary! Such beautiful celebrations to look forward to this week, as I'm sure your marriage is a beautiful celebration of the two of you and your life together and your welcoming home all year long.
If you two are half as remarkable as I read you are a wonderful couple, and I wish you all the best! You well deserve all good things!
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Gail said...

Hi EIleen-

"Thank you" for all your kind and celebrative words to me/us!! And God is SO good because in HIs infinite wisdom he is sending a cold front ere, right here to our home on Wednesday ad will last all weekend long! Amen.

Love to you
Gail
peace....

Gail said...

Hi Cinner-
And now you have see a purple silk suit. We bought it in Manhattan when we were recording in NYC...he is most comfy though in jeans and clogs and t-shirts!! :-) We are ole hippies, ya know?

And I like what you said about no toxicity. Thank you for your heartfelt warm wishes.
Love Gail
peace.....

Comrade Kevin said...

The pictures shed a lot of light on who you are and what you believe in. Thanks for sharing. :)

Margie said...

So, August 29th is a day of celebration for you & your husband.
Wishing you a true day of joy on your birthday's & wedding anniversary!

It was very nice to learn about you & your husband.
I would say your marriage is blesed with much love!
That is quite wonderful!
May your lives together always continue to bring you love, peace & joy!

Margie:)

Bernie said...

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to both of you. What a beautiful tribute to your love, marriage and home.
So good to know that you are so happy Gail, your heart is full of all good things and you deserve no less. May you share more birthdays and many more blessed years together.
Enjoy the cold front my friend, and have a wonderful day...:-) Hugs

Gail said...

HI BERNIE-

"Thank you" for all your warm wishes for us. :-) And yes, the cold front is such a gift - Phew.

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI MARGIE-

"Thank you" for your kind and warm wishes for us - it is a time of true celebration. :-)

Love Gail
Peace.....

Gail said...

HI KEVIN-

As they say, "a picture speaks 1000 words". I am glad you "saw" in to our world. :-)

Love Gail
peace......

PENolan said...

You old hippies ;)

I'm in a dash because it's way late and, as you know, we're off at dawn - but I did want to say Happy Happy Everything.

xo
T

Gail said...

Hey trish-

"Thanks for you well-wishes. travel safely and we will catch up when you return. hugs to Velvet -

love you
Gail
peace.....

betty said...

Hi; just found your blog; enjoyed reading your story about you and your hubby, your backgrounds, and your love with each other; happy birthday to both of you and happy anniversary too! kind of neat all those special events are celebrated on one day :)

betty

Gail said...

Hi Betty-

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your well -wishes. Yes, lots of special events all on one day. :-)
Please read more of my blog as it speaks to many powerful issues and hope. My 100th post is a re-cap, if you like
Love Gail
peace.....

Iktomi said...

happy birthday, and aniversary. :)

Gail said...

Hi Betty-

thanks SO much for replying to me. ANd please know that I am whole and well, and have taken a healing journey to wellness - my past and the events I survived are my greatest sources of strength.

And I respect your privacy on your other 2 blogs completely.

ANd I look forward to us getting to know one another too. :-)

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

Hi Iktomi-
"thank you" for yur well wishes :-)
Love Gail
peace....

Wanda..... said...

Both of your birthdays and wedding anniversary on the same day! I always liked the fact that my mother and dad married on his birthday!

You always appear to be a happy person wanting the best for all. Hope you have many more enjoyable birthdays and anniversaries Gail.

a fellow villager,
Wanda

Gail said...

Hi Wanda -

thanks for you kind words. And ya, I am a happy person - or I try to be as best I can -
Love Gail
peace.....

The Rambling Taoist said...

Don't know what to say that hasn't been said, so happy days to all!

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

upper case, lite, beaming, sparkling, that would describe the HAPPY I would post for the world to see!

Yours is a story of fulfillment, purpose, joy, and faith! You are the very happiness and resolve that is wished for! All the HAPPY of NOW - for each Birthday and for your Anniversary! HUGS! SMILES!

August 29th will be a celebration for each of you and for each of us that have been blessed by your friendship!

Gail said...

ROSE MARIE -
"Thank you" for your heartfelt words of true understanding and celebration. It is a time of love and faith and joy and purpose. I am honored that you are sharing this time in my life with me/us.

Love and friendship
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI R T

"thank you" for joining in the well wishes for us at this time of celebration.

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

giggles said...

Happy Birthdays and Anniversary!!!!

Gail said...

HI GIGGLES-


"THANKS" :-)

love Gail
peace....

Andy said...

Happy everything to you and Skipp for tomorrow Gail. Hope you have a great time.

Gail said...

Hi Andy-

"Thank you"
for you well wishes and for stopping by. :-)

love gail
peace.....

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

My husband and I were born on the same day too! But, we got married a month after... how wonderful it would be to have them all smashed together like that :)

Gail said...

Hi Lupines-

So nice to see you. :-)

And interesting to have the same birthdays too. And you are right, it is fun that it is all together, anniversary too.

Love Gail
peace.....

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

WELL here I am, smiling in anticipation of such a shared delight, marking the 29th day of August - but hours away! Again, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to each of you and HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Your shared life, your shared love, and all you are to so many, gifts us all.

Blessings,

Rose Marie

Gail said...

Hi Rose Marie-

How truly wonderful of you to visit again and share in the wonderful anticipation of the approaching 29th!! I am thrilled you are here.

Love Gail
peace......

Bernie said...

Happy Bithday to Gail, Happy Birthday to her husband and Happy Anniversay to both of you. Have the best day ever.......:-) Hugs

Grizz………… said...

What a wonderful, wonderful post! Thank you, Gail, for sharing such a sweet and lovely and intimate story. It says so very much about who you (the both of you, actually) are. Not just the details of your upbringing and the journey which led to your marriage, but the philosophy—the theology—of your lives. The compassion and caring of your open home and hearts. You and Skipp are true soul mates. You have been abundantly endowed with the sort of love and appreciation of one and other that few couple ever manage. In many ways, your roads have always led to that day of union, the joining of hearts and lives in marriage; the refuge and joy of true love.

I wish I could stop by today to lift a glass and offer a congratulatory toast to your both. You are truly blessed and glorified by your lives and marriage. You deserve the very best. I'm honored to have been able to share, in even this small way, in your celebration.

Happy birthday to your both! And happy anniversary. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!







Happy

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ_

WOW!! "Thank you" so much for your kind and wise words . We both traveled long and hard to find one another - and it is a union of all those things you said - and the best part is it is just who we are which is honored and magnified by our being together. so ya, this weekend is a weekend of celebration of birth, life and purposefui union.

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI BERNIE -
"Thank you" for stopping by today - it means so much - today we are in celebration of so much that it is hard to contain :-)

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Anne said...

Gail,
I really enjoyed reading about your husband and you. It is wonderful when a marriage is blessed with love and I can see that yours certainly does.
I wish you many more years of joy and love with your husband.

Gail said...

HI CHOICES -
"Thank you
SO much for your well wishes and kind words at this most amazing time of celebration, hope and promise.

Love to you
Gail
peace....

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Wishing you the day after HUGS and JOY!!

Eileen said...

I'm so sorry, I'm a day late in wishing you and your husband the best! I hope you both enjoyed your double birthday celebration and your anniversary! Well, it's the weekend so I hope it's a weekend celebration and then I'm not so late after all!

Thanks for always sharing yourself and so much of your life with us! 'Hope you get back as much as you give!
Love, Eileen

Gail said...

HI EILEEN-

"thank you, thank you.........your well wishes are so truly appreciated. Our weekend was lovely - filled with love, family, good food and wine - nature and music, oh the music!!
Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HELLO JOHN-
AND "thank you" for your profound words to me at this time of celebration.

Love Gail
peace.....

C. Om said...

Truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing! ;-)

Gail said...

HI C.OM-

So nice to see you here - thanks for your kind words.

Love Gail
peace.....