A heartwarming event to be sure but you may be wondering, 'Why post such a thing to this blog?'
Joseph Cangelosi, mentioned here and there and various other posts over the years, is my oldest friend. We met when we were both 7 years of age, in 2nd Grade I believe. Over the course of our elementary and middle school years we became the bestest of best buds, sleeping over each others houses all the time, attending one another's family get togethers and holidays, and basically being brothers in all but blood.
As my mother would often say, "This is my son Adam, my daughter Karen, and my other son Joe. Only Joe's not related."
We've known each other now for over 40 years. There have been long stretches where we haven't spoken. I hadn't seen him physically in the flesh in over 15 years prior to the baby shower, though we speak on Facebook regularly. I hadn't seen his mom and dad in over 35 years. His older brother I couldn't even say but its very likely been around the same length of time. His older sister 25-30 years, as she used to work at a Barnes and Noble I frequented in my high school and college years. As far as his younger sister, well it was thanks to her finding me and contacting me via Facebook some years ago that enabled us to reconnect.
Seeing him this past Saturday, seeing them all, was an experience so amazing, so deep-down-in-my-soul good that I can not do it justice in words. Let's just say I don't say 'soul' often and I just did only because I have no other way of describing it.
I am so happy to have had the opportunity to be with Joe, his wife, and their families for this special event that I am beside myself. My girlfriend came with me and she said you could see the emotion on my face and in my body language. She also said that it was mirrored by Joe. He was as ecstatic to have me there as I was to be there.
We talked about the old days and the crazy antics of two geeky kids growing up poor in the pre-internet Brooklyn of the late 1970s and early 80s. We caught up on family, friends, who had kids, who got married, etc. Joe, his older brother Rob, and I talked about the new Star Wars, the Marvel movies, and all kinds of related subjects. It was an absolute blast.
I will finish this post with the warmest and most sincere Congratulations to my dear friend, his wife, and the entire Cangelosi clan! I can't wait to meet the newest addition when he arrives!
Peace, Love, Joy, and Harmony to Everyone and May The Force Be With You.
Oh, did I mention the baby shower was Star Wars themed? Yeah. It was a Star Wars-themed Baby Shower. 'Cause that's my friend Joe.
AD
Barking Alien
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