TAKING ON ANOTHER FIGHT

He has a slow gait, doesn’t rush through life: doesn’t even drive fast. The last time I saw the man he was laughing and enjoying his family, friends and well-wishers since his marriage had turn 50 years old!

MAUREEN & STEVE 50 YEARS AGO

Once he used to walk around with a tuning fork, in case he met you on a street and your piano sounded out of tune. He keeps it in his back pocket with the Bible of Macintosh Computers and some spare car parts. He has been called on to give sermons in his priestly garb, a real Father Guido Sarducci, even gave a sermon at his 50^th Wedding Anniversary.

He speaks three languages, English, Italian and his hands, all equally fluent.

This is a man who brings a lot of cheer to the world in the form of help and fun, his face permanently creased from the years of smiling.You can find him in his 'lab' amid his electronics and computers, working for the Navy. He worked for Electric Boat Co. in New London, but forgot to plug it in once!

It is always good to see Steve, he makes us all enjoy his company, he is the brother-in-law of TLW (The Little Woman), her sister Maureen’s husband.

FATHER GUIDO

The other night while we sat quietly at home the phone rang. It was Maureen, and she started her conversation with her sister and then TLW became upset. By the tone of the conversation I could not make out what it was about except that it is dire, or at least potentially. Steve has cancer again, after beating it once: another form has reared its ugly head.

I have been slow to acknowledge it, because I don’t want to believe it, yet I can't seem to hide from it. Having lost my brother-in-law John, this is becoming too commonplace, too often the news, too unfair as it hits good people.

I know he will outlast it, I think he will be shot instead by a young jealous husband before cancer beats him. He will research it, tell you all you need to know about it, deal with it and carry on like it is a flat tire that was fixed. I know that every member of the family is devastated and hurt to know he has the disease, but he will have rock solid prayers and support behind him. He will demonstrate the way to beat cancer with the heart and soul of a good man, a devoted father and loving husband. He will be a model for all the family to look to in times of adversity and have faith that all will turn out well.

Pray for him, he is a good guy, and I need to laugh some.