Re: Weekend Open House
* sigh *
Where to begin? For Pat and I, it was shortly after our first cruise (together), in March of 2000. For the life of me, I can't place it, but ws back in the earlier C@ days. Before "The Crash". We had just "discovered" Holland America and I was doing my usual, over the top, babbling. Post after post. Before I knew it, Mary Ann had found (another) kindred spirit and (althougC we didn't know it, two more D.I.T.s were hatched! With hundreds, if not thousands of postings, our friendship was forged in iron.
We booked many cruises through Mary Ann, but it wasn't until September, 2009, that we finally managed to break our calendars open when there was a Duck Cruise. At one point, I referred to Mary Ann as "Queen Quack". She laughed and said, "Well then, I suppose that would make you my court jester, wouldn't it?"
While I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Queen-Jester role, and all the silliness that goes with being a member of the Duck Crew, it was getting to know Mary Ann that was the greatest gift. Over time, directly and indirectly, Pat and I came to realize just how absolutely caring, generous and unselfish this lady is. True, she did not suffer fools lightly, but she (thankfully) did distinguish between fools and class-clowns.
The acts of kindness she effected, the hearts she has touched, and the spirits she has lifted are beyond measure.
I've said (posted) it before; but, "Thank you God for sharing your beautiful child with us. Event though the time was too short, we will always to keep her memory going. The years will pass, voices may fade and even recall eventually fails. But, even then, Mary Ann F. Rizzo will live"
Now, I'll step down from the pulpit, dry my eyes (yet again) and offer a toast,
Ladies and Gentlemen; Drakes and Hens, D.I.T.s, and all ...
Please raise your glasses high ...
"Here's to us; and those like us ... Damned few left ... TO MARY ANN !"
