Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow

I should tell you that my best friend Chuck has a twin sister named Sarah. After my post on Chuck we sent a couple notes back and forth via facebook and I was reminded of the time the three of us decided to go Christmas caroling...

Sarah writes:

"It was snowing like mad. The thought behind it was to get candy and or money for it. We went to the big blue house on the duck pond known as ''The Feragamo's'' any ways...... they had a great, big, huge evergreen tree in the front yard. It was covered top to trunk with like millions of lights. So, we knocked on the door and knew that they were inside but they wouldn't answer.

I do not know which one of you two it was but you started fiddling with the lights of this huge tree. Next thing the entire tree went out! Every single light!!! We all started giggling and laughing and running...over that bridge, behind a bunch of houses and finally to the back of Traci Campbell's house on Colgate Rd.

I know now that I am older and more wise that we were in no way at fault for the lights going out but rather the adults in ''The Feragamo's'' who must of been wetting their pants with laughter watching us freak out and run away after they flicked the switch. Doesn't matter it is a memory I completely cherish and my kids LOVE this story. Of course they are under the impression that us three were the reason for the lights going out!!!"

I had forgotten this story until Sarah reminded me and nearly wet my pants with laughter. What were we thinking? Earning money for caroling? Go figure, Chuck and I were always either looking to make a buck or finding a way out of trouble. In this case it happened to be both.

These are the stories that make me who I am today and are but a glimpse of the trouble Chuck and I shared in. How about you? Do you have a mischeivious Christmas memory?

My Best Friend Chuck

Wow, where do I begin?

I should start by sharing that Chuck is one of those guys in life that you don't just meet--you experience. For those of you who know him know what I mean and understand. Perhaps you too have a Chuck in your life--perhaps it's Chuck!

For me, it all began in the summer right before I began second grade. Charles, as his mother made certain I call him, was sitting across the table from me as we prepared to take an entrance test to WAGS (Wyckoff Assembly of God School). WAGS was a new ACE school that was to open that fall and somehow both of our parents got roped into having us attend. Little did we know that this is where I would learn to ride a bike and see miracles happen before my own eyes.

As we sat across each other that day we discovered that we had many things in common. We soon realized that we each lived about a half mile from Our Lady of Perpetual Help--the local Catholic Church. The adventurous boys that we were, we made plans to meet at the church soon. The day we rode our bikes there to figure out where each other lived was the beginning of many miles ridden on those bikes. Our neighborhoods didn't know what was about to hit them. Little did they know they would become our stomping grounds and the setting for many experiments, pranks, learning experiences and stories that have been part of what makes us who we are today.

But that my friends, was the just the beginning. The stories have flown from that day through today. In fact, once again, Chuck (as I now call him) and I live about a mile and a half away from each other in the same town in central Virginia. I can hardly believe after nearly thirty years of me getting fish hooks stuck in him, whacking him in the head with a putter, or nearly getting his CJ7 stuck in the median that we're still best friends.

Now, keep your eyes peeled here because the stories that have been created as a result of our relationship will flood this blog. From the building our first boat to tooling around the neighborhood on Chuck's go-carts, or from campfire steaks and pizza to the bonfire with my kitchen and Christmas tree, I'm sure your attention will be held as Chuck and I laugh through our memories.

Finally, I trust you will enjoy yourself as I tell these stories and that you too will be reminded of the whimsy of your childhood.

Why This Blog?

Wow, where do I start?

There are a million things running through my brain as I begin to type.

The idea behind this blog came to me several weeks ago as I was recalling various stories from my life. As I thought about those stories and reminisced about my mother's passing in 1996 I began to realize how much is often forgotten.

My purpose here is simply to share various stories within the various chapters of my life so that someday my daughters will be able to enjoy them. I trust that others will enjoy them too.

Finally, I want to make sure that you take a moment to read the disclaimer for this blog before continuing the journey with me.

Disclaimer

As my good friend Joseph says, "I reserve the right to be wrong."

I too, reserve the right to be wrong. To expound on that, I realize that the stories that will follow this disclaimer are all told from my memory. For those who know me, I'm a water under the bridge kind of guy who has a very easy time forgetting things. That being said, I will tell my stories with the best recall I can muster without any intention of improperly telling any of these stories.

My purpose is not to incriminate either myself or any of my friends but rather remember the good times I've had with those who have crossed my journey and have a little fun with the memories. I trust that I don't get anyone in trouble or piss anyone off through my recollections.

Finally, I hope you enjoy!