My youngest, Mark, turns 36 today.
He is the funny one. A true wise ass. He has been referring to me as “Old Man” for more time than is fair but far less than deserved.
He was lucky enough to find the perfect mate in Sara Moran (whose Dad – also NYPD – is the real Jimmy Moran, so I named the lead character in The Claire Saga after him. Love to Liz, Jimmy.),
They are both proud members of the NYPD.
So, was Sara’s sister, Dana, before her beautiful baby Brooklyn, was born.
I couldn’t be more proud of them all. God Bless the Blue.
M&S also shepherd, protect and serve 15 plus hives of bees and run a successful Honey Company from their beautiful home in Rockland County.
And for that, I am equally proud. People need saving, but if we don’t save the bees, there won’t be any people left to save. Check out their website – https://jaxandcobees.com.
Their honey is outstanding. The NoCo bees cannot get enough of it – I feed bees as well – because it gives them street cred and swagger.
Since Mark, like my other children, was a C-Section (good enough for Caesar), I did my very best to arrange for his delivery on March 17th, an absolute win for any Irishman. But Lisa’s OB-GYN, a wonderful and talented – if not culturally short-sighted – man named Dr. Shojai, had a golf game scheduled that day. Still, his work was impeccable.
Mark went to the best schools – Iona Grammar in New Rochelle, The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, and Manhattanville in Purchase NY.
He is quite brilliant (skips a generation). Could have chosen any profession.
He was an excellent three sport Varsity Athlete in HS and was a closer for his College’s baseball team who could throw over 90mph. He was a wide receiver on his grammar school football team. Had hands like Fred Biletnikoff. Fast, like his mom.
It was no surprise then for me to read about him chasing down a kidnapper on foot through the upper west side of Manhattan and scaling 8 stories of a fire escape before collaring the perp and making the New York daily newspapers and television news as “Spider Man”.
Mark and his lovely bride Sara are everything good that can be found in every man or woman (or dog) who puts on the Blue each day and pray they will make it to the end of their shift. Please respect them and their work. Pray for their safety. And if you ever see them in the Central Park area of Manhattan, say hi.
So, young Mark, I just wanted to dedicate today’s blog to let the world how much your mother and I love and respect you (and thank God everyday that you found Sara). Stay safe. Love to Sara (and her family). Happy Birthday!
Well, today is indoor chore day, because there really is too much snow left to handle outdoor work. In fact, I slipped right on my ass on the way out to feed Honey and Claire this morning. I had to laugh as I lay there staring up at the stars still holding the bag of fruits/veggies and jar of peanuts in my hands. No lie, I started to laugh. Lunacy.
The mules didn’t seem to notice, although I thought I heard them snickering as I approached the barn.
I hope you fine, five readers have a short list of weekend errands to handle. And I hope the lucky ones among you have a St. Patty’s Day Parade or Party to attend to. We’re all Irish this weekend. At least wear a bit of green.
But now, I better get on it. I have kitties to cuddle – saw Mr. Fox on the porch eating their left over cat food this morning – with the kitties safe in their bunkers. Every creature is welcome to dine alfresco at Casa Claire. As long as they keep the peace and don’t dine on each other.
Then my rounds.
Speaking of long, long ago and far far away, I had a wonderful telephone call with an old friend, Johnny Gormally, yesterday. We went to St. Maggies and Spellman together. Our fathers were from the same parish in Manhattan.
We had a lot of laughs. I look forward to seeing him at the Spellman ‘Class of 74’ 50th (they have made me an honorary member) this fall.
But, no matter what else we may get up to on this magical Celtic Saturday (we claim the weekend), let us make today a great one.
5 Responses
Faugh A Ballagh! In your case, Clear The Way re snow …. and wear your bloody wellies, will ye?😉🙄😄💚🇮🇪🇺🇲
Great blog! Happy Birthday Mark🎂🍺🎈🎁
It of course made me smile as you shared trying to have the c-section scheduled on St Patrick’s Day. I’m thinking Lisa might have just been pregnant look enough to be ready to go even if it was a day earlier.
I wonder if Mark’s working the parade today or were Sara and him lucky enough to get the day off to celebrate his birthday. Mother Nature blessed us with a beautiful day for today’s parade.
Stop your falling down and while attempting to make those snow angels, it will take more than that for you to fly through the pearly gates. Haha! ☘️🇮🇪🙏
Tom–yep, I can read about people’s kids all day long. I can see why you’re so proud of yours. Please pass on my thanks for their service to New York!
Anyone who has read your fine books – which I highly recommend – knows that about you Cam. You appreciate the peacekeepers and other first responders. You also appreciate the family dynamic. I will share your kind words with Mark & Sara.
It is pretty great when your offspring find their path and the right person to share it with. Your son and his wife sound like incredible people. Brilliant and brave. Nice job, dad. You should all be proud of yourselves. My son and his wife spent St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin this year. A well-deserved blowout after spending the last three months helping me recover from that thing I had done in December.