The Judge pulled us over to the side and asks, “Are you trading under Sam’s trust?”
I answer, “Yes Uncle George, we moved fifty million into a trading account for Sam. Her trust fund is being managed like most of the families.”
Uncle George shakes his head, “You know Marshall helped with my trading yesterday and I made fifty million.”
I smile saying, “I knew he was helping you, I’m glad it worked out so well.”
Uncle George reaches for Sam. Sam goes into uncle George is embrace. Uncle George begins, “Sam I know it was your idea in a really good one at that. Could you let me help with the salary?”
Sam surprises Uncle George, like I said she’s a little more intuitive than any four-year-old I know. Sam says, “Of course Uncle George, as long as I get to help too. You don’t get to have all the fun.”
Uncle George chuckles and gives Sam a kiss before he sets her down. He says, “I see you’re like Elizabeth, your great Grandma. No one is going to pull the wool over your eyes.”
Sam jumps up back into my arms smiling she says, “Of course not, I’m a part of this family and we’re all very smart.”
We go back to the others, and Sam slips in my lap as we finished discussing how we want the salary set up. The Judge and Sam share the expense of the salaries as their donation to the nonprofit which is a good tax write off for both of them.
The first thing they need to do is to rent some office space, and begin hiring employees to start managing this year’s program. Where a little late in the game, but will give our best attempt to give away as much is possible. We really only have a couple months. I know Jeremy would like to see this statewide, but with the limited time in our lack of experience maybe a smaller scale to work out the problems would be in order.
I ask a question our two clergy, “How much help and we get from churches in seeing that the program gets to the people who really need it? I’m not just talking about the very poor, will do that for sure but even the people a little better off should be covered with this program. We can provide a little extra help for the families that truly would have nothing.”
Both are thoughtful for a moment, and then Reverend Akins says, “Let me make a few calls.”
Parson Jenkins says, “I’ll do the same, I’m sure we can come up with a few volunteers, and even a few qualified people that Jeremy should look into hiring.”
Jeremy response, “Make it soon, the sooner we get off the ground the more children we can help this Christmas. Jeremy located some space downtown that we can rent is nineteen hundred square feet but should do for this year. With your okay, I’ll rent it for the next six months.”
I looked around at my fellow oversight members seeing no disagreement I nodded my head yes and they followed suit. With that the creation of The Give a Gift of Giving Organization completed. By the weekend Jeremy had phone lines installed, a website up and running.
Jeremy Junior knew of a web page designer in need of work, and had her already working on a page for the organization. An interim page was up on Friday, with only a few items and email. The designer was going to make a much more detailed website for us given the time. Jeremy hired four full-time workers by that Friday as well. Jeremy Junior had brought on board six accountants that would be working mostly from home.
The rest of my week at school was pretty much the same as the first day, teaching the Phys. Ed. Students the basics, both nutrition and exercise. I could tell that most of them were getting this information for the first time. When they commented that they had no books containing this information, I decided that night I would produce handouts with the information for them.
One thing I did enjoy was the homecoming each day. Met at the door by Kathryn and Sam, both gave me lots of kisses saying they missed me. That also was the worst thing about working was being away from Kathryn and Sam. If I hadn’t been busy most of the day I wouldn’t be able to stand the separation. As it is I feel badly every morning when I leave. Like something is missing from me. I tell Kathryn of this and she confessed she felt the same way.
The next week is the same, but on Friday since I’m working with the Junior varsity team, and they had no game tonight or practice I’m off early and I had straight home. I could feel Kathryn’s sadness from nearly a mile away. Sam seemed very sad, she still greeted me warmly but I could tell she had been crying. Looking into Kathryn’s face I also knew she had been crying. I take them into my arms and hold them tightly before I ask, “What’s wrong?”
Sam in a shaking voice says, “Ron gave me the letters today.”
Again with concern I ask, “Sam are you okay?”
Sam puts her face into my chest and begins to cry again, obviously she’s not. Kathryn says, “The letter was beautiful Sam’s Angel Mom wrote to her. She truly loved Sam. It’s no wonder Sam is missing her.”
In the most calming voice I can manage I tell Sam, “Sam we know you still love your Angel Mommy and Daddy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love you too Sam.”
Sam with a sniffle says, “I love you and Mommy, but I still miss Angel Mommy and Daddy. Daddy, will that ever change?”
In the same calm voice I say, “Sam I still miss your Grandpa Joseph. Sam I have you and your Mommy, all your aunts and uncles, your grandmas in your grandpa having them in my life helps, and having them around us helps too. You missing them Sam means you truly never lose them. They will always be a part of you.”
Sam sniffles again wiping her eyes she says, “You’re right Daddy. Having our family does help, having you and Mommy helps a lot. With everybody back in school I miss them. Daddy, could I come to school on Monday?”
With a glance at Kathryn who gives me a shake of her head I say, “I’ll ask Mom to bring you guys to school at lunchtime. I’ll have it checked out by then if I can let you stay for the rest of the afternoon. If not we’ll still have lunch together.”
Sam smiles and says, “That sounds like fun Daddy.”
That was the start of the weekend of Alyssa’s wedding, and it will be a lovely ceremony. Mom and Helen arranged everything for Alyssa, and Uncle George would fly them off for two weeks in Hawaii. The next weekend will be the last that Ron and Reese had with us until they separated from the service. I have an interesting part of the ceremony; no one else is available to give Alyssa away. Considering my involvement with her they choose me to walk Alyssa down the aisle and give her away. Before we begin Alyssa says, “I so wish your father was here to do this.”
I smile back tapping my chest as I say, “He’s right here. I carry him with me all the time. He is who makes me want to do better. I try to live by the example he is given.”
Alyssa blinks holding back the tears she says, “Your father would be proud of you.”
The music begins at I say to her, “Let me go give you to George, so you two can start your life together.”
We stand and wait as Mom, Helen Misty and then Kathryn proceed down the aisle. Michael senior is the best man in takes Mom’s arm as they proceed down the aisle. Jeremy also a friend of the Judge takes Helen’s arm and falls in step. Marshall and Misty are next, Kathryn proceeds by herself followed by Sam spreading flowers, Alyssa and I then begin the walk down the aisle. Reaching the end I lift Alyssa’s veil, it’s only then that I believe George begins to breathe again.
Rev. Akins asks, “Who gives this woman.”
I say my reply, “I give this woman.” I then place Alyssa’s hand into George’s hand both their hands shake with excitement. When each hand touches the other I can feel their connection and both smiled broadly. Releasing their hands I take my position opposite Kathryn. The vowels are spoken and answered by I do from each. When it comes for the time for Reverend Akins to say you may kiss the bride, he steps back as father McCoy steps up to the podium and begins a second ceremony.
Reaching the same point he too pauses, and then replaced by Parson Jenkins and he too begins the ceremony. In turn he replaced by the governor who reads the civilian ceremony to George and Alyssa. Upon his conclusion the three ministers step forward and simultaneously say you may now kiss the bride. George and Alyssa kiss each other to cheers from the congregation. They hadn’t known about the other three ceremonies and it was a surprise to them. The governor showing up was a very big surprise for George. George never realized how well respected by so many people he was.
When they leave the chapel the bride and groom chauffeured slowly through town to pack streets on their way to the marina. Marshal, Misty, Joan, Johnny, Kathryn, Sam and I have taken a back way and reach the marina before them. We have decorated with flowers for the wedding a large pontoon boat, we very slowly cross the lake and proceed up the river to our dock. The rest of the family is at the dock awaiting us. After tying off, we help the bride and groom step onto the dock together, and this begins their wedding reception. The meadow is completely covered in people just as many are here today as on the Fourth of July.
Grandma Elisabeth is the first to greet the happy couple on the docks and grandma gives both a hug and a kiss wishing them a happy and long marriage. Jeremy, Jerry Junior his wife and daughter Janet are next, followed by the entire town, and most of the County and a good part of the state’s judges and politicians. This near to the elections the politicians takes the opportunity to work the crowd. I remind them that they here for a wedding reception and not a political rally.
Uncle George chuckles at me, after I reminded the governor himself of this. He said, “You know they really can’t help it. Whenever there are more than five people around them, the politician in them comes out.”
The governor overhearing us says, “George my friend you’re so right. I’ll try to remind myself why I’m here.”
It came time for Alyssa to throw the bouquet and couple hundred eligible girls gathered for a chance at catching it, with her back to the crowd Alyssa tosses her bouquet overhead and it sails straight to Kara, who catches it with a surprised expression.
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