book- godfather

(Place on page 107 after para. 5, which starts with "Before I found..")

In the 80s I was honored to be a godfather for the very first time.. My older brother Pat and his wife Linda had a son named Adam, and they asked me to be godfather.I left all jokes about Marlon Brando outside the church as I attended the baptism with Mom. Adam went on to be a star athlete in high school and college, later becoming a very successful  sports broadcasting celebrity in New York City. I am very proud of him!

I remember how joyous my own godfather was, and how much I looked forward to his visits. Uncle Frank lived in North Jersey where many of Mom's reletives of Slovak descent  resided. Uncle Frank made the trip from Jersey to visit a few times a year. He always had a big smile on his face, always tan, with slicked-back gray hair, and a hearty laugh.  Other than his warm personality, I most remember Uncle Frank for several reasons.

Everytime he was ready to leave for his return journey up the Jersey turnpike, he gave me a big hug and we shook hands. Inside his palm was a folded twenty dollar bill, which he slipped into my hand and smiled. For a kid, twenty bucks was a big deal, and although I loved my godfather for non-monetary reasons, I also looked forward to the cash.

Mom would make a big spaghetti dinner when she knew Uncle Frank was visiting for the day. Or perhaps it would be a meal of real ethnic  food such as pierogi or halushki.  Even a dozen donuts was okay. As long as Uncle Frank had a pot of freshly-brewed coffee nearby, as the family sat around the kitchen table and  played catch-up, he was happy.

One Easter I was in a body cast, confined to my bed. Uncle Frank sent the largest chocolate Easter Egg I ever saw. It had to be at least ten pounds, filled with jelly beans, marshmellow chicks and chocolate goodies. Uncle Frank never failed to remember birthdays, send get-well greetings, or call me when he couldn't travel. Christmas was always made special when he dropped by over the holidays, stocked with presents for everyone.

When he died from a sudden heart attack, we attended the funeral in Passaic. We arrived at the viewing early, and the aroma of carnations still fills my senses when my memory reminds me of  Uncle Frank laying so peacefully. And when his casket passed by in church, I reached out and touched the smooth wood, whispering "Thank you, Uncle Frank" for always making me happy.