Helen turns 31, resides in Dallas, and is one of the coolest chicks you would ever want to know. She never has a bad word to say about anyone (note to self - maybe that's b/c she's talking about me???), yet she is as tough as nails. She grew up with 2 older brothers and hung around myself as well as her other male cousins so she learned at a rather young age that if she wanted to hang with the boys, she was going to have to be tough. I can think of numerous stories growing up that reflect this fact so I'll tell one of those here.It was a hot summer day in Houston in the early 80's and like most weekends at the time, we spent them together. It was Helen, her two brothers and me. Her mom (my aunt) was taking us for our usual jaunt over to The Forest Club for a day of swimming. As usual, we were all excited to be together and we couldn't wait to get to the club to hit the high dive. We all sat in the car in the driveway waiting for Helen's mom to come out and take us there. Finally we see her come out of the house, but instead of her usual calm demeaner, she was fuming mad! Uh oh! She proceeds to head straight for us and, come to find out, she was not taking us anywhere until one of us fessed up to making a complete mess of her bedroom with peanut butter and crackers. Needless to say, it wasn't me...I didn't live there for Pete's sake so why the hell would I eat peanut butter and crackers in my aunt's bedroom? No-one wanted to say a word since no-one wanted to get in trouble so my aunt promptly decided that we weren't going anywhere until someone confessed, so she went back inside while we were left to hash it out in the driveway.
Since nobody wanted to come clean, it came down to the natural pecking order of things. Helen, being the youngest one, was volunteered by us to go inside and tell her mom that it was her that made the mess. Being the trooper that she was, she graciously accepted (Our 3 feet kicking her out of the car helped too!). After about 30 minutes and a heated tongue lashing, we were all on our way to another fun filled day at the club. Fast forward 20 years and it finally came out in a family gathering that her brother, Christopher, was the culprit! Thanks again for taking one for the team, Helen! You rock! I look forward to seing you next month on our trip to the slopes in Aspen!
I know I surely sound partial being that he is another one of my psuedo-siblings, but Patrick is another true example of an extraordinary human being. He's a husband to a classy gal, a father to two beautiful kids, and a patriot to 300 million people.I can remember playing basketball with he and his dad (my uncle) over at their house as kids. I specifically remember my Hakeem Olajuwan skills as a shot blocker since I was able to swat away his shots like a pro, myself being 7 years older and 2 feet taller notwithstanding. Needless to say, he is now a marine and flies harriers for a living. He's also a little taller than he was then and just slightly (cough cough) in better shape than I am in now so a rematch will not be in order since I think I would like that trophy's spot to remain on my mantle.
Patrick turns 30 today and I cannot be prouder of someone than I am of him. He exudes kindness and resonates humility. We can all learn a lot from this guy. As much as you want to know what's going on with his life and his crazy world of fighter jets, he would much rather know what's going on with yours. That's just the kind of person he is. He not only sets a wonderful example for those two lovely kids of his, but I feel he sets one for anyone who is lucky enough to be around him. I am happy to say that I am one of those lucky individuals.
So Helen and Patrick...All I can is thanks. Thanks for being you. Thanks for continuing to be a part of my life and thanks for being my friend!
Happy Birthday!
Ok...I must confess. In the efforts to preserve Helen's honor on her special day, I took the liberty of changing a minor detail in the story I told. I also wanted to see how long it would take to be called out on it. And yes...it didn't take too long. Here is the actual email I received from another participant on that fateful day...
ReplyDeleteHey Mr. living in Fantassy land Writer! It was not me who put those dam crackers under the bed! It was Helen you sentimental blog writer! It was Helen who 20years later admitted to putting those crackers under the bed! Helen did not and I repeat did not "TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM BUDDY"!
OHHHHH how quickly you forgot the real story.
Here are the facts of the "Real Case" of the "Peanut Butter Bandit"
Fact...We were all sitting in a 100 degree car waiting for mom.....as usual.....The gang was Trevor age 12, Graham 12, Christopher age 7, Helen age 5, and Mom age 32 (thats kinda scarry thats how old I'm now...Yikes!)
Fact...Mom finally came outside, we thought to leave, but was pissed!
Fact....Mom said ants were all under her bed, because of the Peanut Butter & Crackers!
Fact...Mom said we were not going anywhere until the person who did it, Fessed Up!
Fact....Yes we all admitted it was not any of us!
Fact....Yes the male majority kicked Helen out of the car to take the blame!
Fact....Helen did go inside and tell mom she was the one who put the Peanut Butter and Crackers under the bed!
Fact...But you forgot what you said before she took the fall
Fact...Helen stated "Mom I just want you to know it was not me who the Peanut Butter and Crackers under the bed, but they (meaning us) wanted me to say it was me".
Fact...Mom came back out to the car where we were all set to go in our Surf-Side swim trunks and Vans Tennis shoes, and laid into the three of us one more time.
Fact... We sat in that HOT ASS car for in the middle of July for who knows how long while Mom and Helen ate Peanut Butter and Crackers in her room watching Phil Donahue!
Fact...Helen at 5 years old, left the three of us in the middle of July burning up in a Hot Car for who knows how long for something none of us Did! Hell Graham you passed out like 3 times in the backseat and Trevor had to get the garden hose to revive you! We almost Died that day, all because of Helen my sister well "Happy Freak-in Birthday" whhooo-p-Dee-dooo!
If your gonna tell a story and post it for all the world to see at least get the facts strait, you might as well be writing for the New York Times!
So,
Happy Birthday to Patrick and my Little Sis....Helen "The Peanut Butter Bandit"
Peace,
Christopher
OK, it's time for the older generation to step in here and rectify this
ReplyDeletefoolishness. As Helen's Godmother, it is my duty and honor to restore her
"toughness" reputation, though I prefer to refer to it as my Goddaughter's
inner strength.
I lived in LA for 23 years and had all the children out to visit me at some
point (sure, we know it was Disneyland). When I lived in this particular
building in West Hollywood, a 1929 pseudo French castle apt. house, Graham
came twice, Christopher "let's set the story straight" Gipson came once, and
Helen came out for a week when she was only 9 years old.
I had a patio through some French doors off the living room. I had bought a
table and chairs for al fresco dining. It was an international sort of
thing, al fresco through French doors..anyway, the table had to be
assembled. I asked Helen if she wanted to help me. How hard could it be?
Two arched pieces of metal, crossed and screwed, and a top! Believe it or
not the thing would not align. We pushed, we pulled, we tugged, I cussed.
Finally, I said, "Helen, I'll just get a male friend of mine to do it for
me."
She rose up quicker than a gusher at old Spindletop, "We don't need no
stinkin' boys!" and with that Helen went to yanking that metal into
submission and about 15 minutes later, we had a table to eat on that
evening.
So Helen, Happy Birthday, to my determined, strong, beautiful Goddaughter
and niece. You taught me a valuable lesson that day, as children will teach
anyone, if we will watch and listen.
I love you,
Patti