What Paddy Shot At

I arrived in Pittsburgh at around 5pm on Sunday and drove to Keith and Sheila’s. Then I went to Dave Havern’s, who is engaged to my godchild, Kathleen Morris. The three of us had a very nice and long talk. They haven’t set a date yet but it migh not be till the Fall. Sheila and Keith joined us as did Dave’s dad, David for pizza, salad, and terrific desserts. Mary Jean, Dave’s mom was ill and couldn’t be there but I had a great evening.
Dave travels a lot and get points at Marriott, so he arranged for me to have two free nights at a Springhill Marriott in East Liberty. It is very convenient and about a year old. I have a very nice suite and a great big TV. I checked in around 11pm but didn’t sleep well. I had a cup of coffee, which I don’t drink but twice a year and I was awake till about 3am. I really appreciated the TV.

Got up around 7am and watched the Today show from bed. Keith came and got me around 9:30 and we headed over to – I think its called the Waterworks – to an Eat’N’Park – a great favorite watering hole from my Pittsburgh days! We met Sheila, Helena Regale – a good friend I don’t see often enough – and Eric Diskin – another great friend from my time at Vincen’t and Pittsburgh. I think we stayed about three hours and we just talked and laughed!
When he finally broke up, I returned to the hotel for a nap and then at 5pm, Sheila, Keith, Helena and I met Kristen and Gavin Rapp – K & S’s daughter and son-in-law and all four of their grandchildren at a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. Again, lots of laughs! I had baptized each of the children and it was so great to see how they are growing up. One in 4th grade, one in 2nd, one in Kindergarten, and one in pre-K. Jack, the 2nd grader is getting ready for First Penance and First Communion, so I interviewed him like we do the children at Blessed Sacrament. He did great and knew many gospel stories. At first, he thought he should get a “satisfactory” grade but once I explained the meaning of poor, satisfactory, and excellent, he concurred with my evaluation of excellent!
After dinner, S, K, and H and I took Patrick and Caroline home to their house. Their parents were out to dinner for Valentine’s Day with other couples. So we visited their house and got the tour of the children’s rooms. I had no idea that Barbie had her own trailor or that legos came in so many shapes. We also all prayed for Jake, who is their dog and who is sick. It was a communal prayer service and most impressive.
Ed and Kerri (Mom and Dad) came home and we visited and they shared their “exciting” night out to the “hood”! Then we broke up and I hit that bed in the hotel and slept till 7 this morning.
I guess I really didn’t have a long nap yesterday because I called a lot of people to wish them a Happy St. Valentine’s Day. It is a day in which you think especially of some of those whom you love and on whose love you count. So I called my sisters, Betty Neary – who said she hadn’t heard from me since Thanksgiving. She doesn’t do email or computers so I shall have to start sending her “Paddy” by snail, so we keep in touch.- I also called Dan and Stephanie Poje, Joe Stoutz, and Betty and Norman deLuca – friends from St. Anselm’s days. Oh, and Bob Norton, so I really didn’t sleep long and it was great to talk to so many friends. I really do have to get to work on my Christmas letter for 09 & 10.

I am heading over with Keith to tour Central High School. It is the Christian brothers school and although I have heard of it for years, I never went inside, until now.
Then I’m meeting Bob and the guys for dinner. It has been a rush around visit but I just love seeing even the few I could. I hope to make another trip in March.
I think I’ll leave early tomorrow as I have to be home for the 5:30pm Mass.
Time to check out. It was very nice that there were two computers here in the lobby so I could send out a message. I hope you all had a love filled St. Valentine’s Day and also a blessed Sts. Cyril and Methodist Day as well…

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