Today would mark my parents' 50th Anniversary.  My parents were married to other people before they got together. Dad's first wife sent him a "Dear John" letter while he was serving in the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII and Mom's first husband just told her to leave...while he was serving in the Navy Stateside.  My Father reared my older siblings as his own, so while biologically they are my half siblings, they are my real brother and sisters.

Like every other blended family in the 60's and 70's, I guess we had our dysfunctional moments.My older siblings said us younger ones were spoiled rotten.  The funny thing is, nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me.   My older siblings called my dad, "Dad".  Dad was a Boy Scout Master; Mom a Girl Scout Leader.  We were involved in Drum and Bugle Corp.; Dad was the Drill Instructor and we won lots of trophies and competitions. Just ask my sister, Melody about how not to swing her hips when she marched! She can twirl a sabre like a Marine!

Dad never raised a hand to us.  We'd have to sit in front of his favorite overstuffed Queen Anne's chair while he dolled out punishment.  My brother had to clean out the garage and sort the nails (Dad was in construction); Debby had to polish the silver, Wendy had to clean the knick knacks, and I.....had to iron Dad's white cotton shirts. I had to iron two creases in the front; and three down the back.   I can iron you military creases that'll cut you!  Mom was the disciplinarian, but we both feared and revered my Dad.  It was something about his booming voice sounding so disappointed that was the worst punishment of all.

We learned to play instruments, did chores, and worked as a team.  We were reared by parents who were reared in the depression, so we learned how to make things stretch and appreciate and earn what we asked for.

When my parents decided to expand our family by rearing another group of 5 children, we just made do.  I call them the strays.  Mom and Dad treated us all equally....punishment and all! Through the years, the 10 of us stuck like glue...Hand me downs; home-sewn clothes; and making bread and rolls were a way of life. Seriously, it looked like something out of the Waltons.  Our supper table looked like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Holidays were a time of family traditions and celebrations.  The one that would never stop yet got funnier with each passing year........Dad and Mom would get into an argument, because Dad would shout a string of profanities when setting up the platform and the trains around the Christmas tree and Mom would scold him for cursing in front of the Christmas tree.

Music playing in the house was a Sunday ritual....The Big Band Sounds, John Phillip Sousa, and of course, Country & Western....Hank Williams, Sr., Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Johnny Cash.  and......they loved to dance!  The Dining Room was often turned into a dance floor who knows when and Mom and Dad cutting a rug!  They were excellent dancers.  Their faces lit up, Mom giggling, and Dad smiling watching Mom dance.

Dad decided to move us from the City where we grew up, to the Country so we could get a taste of what really happens when we buy that gallon of milk, loaf of bread, or dozen eggs.  Here I was, mucking stalls, growing vegetables, and feeding animals.  Dad had a rule...no one eats till the animals are fed! He loved that farm! I think some of our best times were during those years. But an icy patch and light standard brought those times to an end. I sold the farm and Dad's business. Mom moved back to the burbs and lived out the remainder of her days.

They're together now....buried next to one another; side by side; partners forever.  A fitting tribute to my wonderful, loving parents.  So on your Golden Anniversary Mom and Dad, the sounds of Duke Ellington and Guy Lombardo playing your favorites and you dancing in the Stars.

Happy Anniversary!