Rosy Glow – Move over George Bailey

By

Andrew DeMarco

A few weeks ago, my cousins Mike and Christine moved from their house of the past 42 years where they were fixtures in the town.  Mike worked in the school system there first as a teacher and then later as an administrator. In addition, he also served on the Village Board while Chris worked as a travel agent in the town. Needless to say, they both were well-known sort of like Norm on “Cheers” where everybody knows them as well as their house on Melbourne Ave.  To call it a house is a misnomer because a house is just a shell, with walls and rooms, cold and uninviting. What Mike and Chris had was a home, a place full of life, love and above all great memories. It didn’t matter what the occasion was, a Christening, Communion, Confirmation, Birthday Party or just a way to get the family together you always had a good time and it always included the neighborhood. To Mike and Chris, the neighbors were an extension of the family.

I have many memories of Melbourne Ave., but I want to mention two. Mike was always the “Lord of the Manor” which is meant in a good way while Christine was the glue which held it together. My first crazy memory was some time ago when I decided to introduce my girlfriend at the time, Marie, to Mike and Chris. We just showed up unannounced, because you never needed an invitation and the doors were always open. We arrived and we found them in back yard. Mike relaxing in a big lawn chair while Chris was busy putting down a brick patio. That’s right you are reading this correctly. Chris tidied herself up while Mike made sure we had something to drink. We spent some time with them and when we left I remember Marie saying to me, “Did I just see that?” I had no idea what she was talking about because to me that was normal. Chris would later add a Koi Pond to that patio and rumor had it that Bob Villa was going to award her “The Golden Tool Belt Award.”

Another memory I have was when I was asked to help Chris and a friend Rich put up a swing set for their granddaughter Teddy. Once again, Mike was watching as Chris, Rich and I wielded hammers and nails and put up the set. Mike was concerned if we would be done by lunch time since he had to order the sandwiches. I would like to add that Chris was not just the glue, she was the brick, mortar, nails and hammers that held it together. Their roles always worked for them so why question it. They are the perfect pair and it is because of this they were able to make that house a home.

But back to the real part of this story. On the day that Mike and Chris were leaving their home their other family, their neighbors decided to do something for them. This reminded me of that gentleman from Bedford Falls, Mr. George Bailey. George was well known in his hometown too and he received a gift from a friend. This gift was a book with an inscription which read, “No man is a failure who has friends.”  Allow me to paraphrase and say no couple is a failure and the picture below is a testament to the success of Mike and Chris. A few people showed up to wish them well and planted a tree in their honor with a plaque thanking them for 42 years of love and friendship which proves that they just aren’t a hit they are a grand slam home run!  So, move over George Bailey!

When I look at this picture and think of that home on Melbourne Ave. with all the memories it gives me and I am sure Mike and Chris that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that ….. Rosy Glow!