60th Wedding Anniversary of Demo and Maria Stathis
July 27th, 2008. Formal Dinner Event, Photo Set 2 [of 2]
Everyone sits down for a formal Dinner and fine conversation at each table. The large Anniversary Cake will be cut in conclusion. But as the main dishes of food are well underway, words and stories are to be told in the couple's honor for all those who are inspired to speak.
The Eldest son, Kostaki begins with a Toast in honor of his parents. Following the Toast he went on, his words, gently spoken, among other things, speaking to how he witnessed, being first in the household, and then as the household kept being added unto with new "arrivals," how his Father and Mother kept steadfast in all the twists and turns of life, to their sense of DUTY to family, to the well-being of their children.
Demo, Bill, Mary Ellen listen-in.
On a lighter note, David tells the following story of his childhood remembrance: "We were in the old Comet, or Vomet as we used to call it, that station wagon and Mom was driving. At least four of us, the youngest boys, were in the back seat pushing, shoving, fighting, as the Police Lights and siren came from behind...it was near Onondaga park. She either was speeding or ran a stop sign. The Officer came to the driver's side window which Mom rolled down; he looked at her and looked at all of us continuing our choas in the back. He says: 'Lady, looks like you have enough problems. On your way...drive safe!' Oh what she put up with!"
After much laughter in the room David continued. "And my Father! What HE put-up with....I can't understand where that decision came from of putting a full-size pool table in the basement room right under his bedroom!"
She always enjoyed the humorous stories of the millions of experiences of this family.
Andrea began speaking, and, of course, starting crying, and worked through her tears to get her words out. It went something like this: "Mom. You always made each of us feel like we were the most special person in the world. No matter which one of us had a need when growing-up, or later when many moved away and would call, you wanted to know everything about everything in our lives like our life was the most important thing in the world to you. ...And I guess, when you were talking with us, we were just that." ....Her son Zach went to embrace her as she was concluding, so proud of his own mother, and understanding his Yia Yia in a new way.
As Bill sat, and the seconds progressed, he was getting noticeably anxious, or deeply thoughtful within, with some stirring; those at the table could tell he was considering speaking, speaking at this very time appropriate to honor aloud she who he honored without words for so many years. He's not one to take the spotlight, moreso one actually to avoid it. ....Encouraged by his brother, he stood. Here's the gist of what he said:
"Everybody knows what I went through, what we were going through; what Mary Lou went through. Mom was always there. She never hesitated. She took Mary Lou to her appointments. She stayed with her. She went home with her. She helped her in the kitchen, with the kids. Toward the end, she never left the Hospital." He started to cry some, and then first Calla, then Tessa, jumped from their seats and came to his side. And he continued: "Afterward, I had to go back to work. How could I? 2 little girls. Only with her help. She was always cooking for us; bringing food over, helping give rides, cleaning. I never asked her once. She was just always there."
Rob speaks. Vageli and his life-partner, Gale, listening. ...At this time there's unfortunately not a recollection of what he said. One can imagine, however, his perspective, being the youngest of the 10; the last under the watchful Motherly eye, and now at this point in his adulthood gaining business acumen from his father's lifetime in business.
Ujvala got all emotional and to everyone's surprise, she stood-up and spoke with such strength in her voice, stunning to silence the gathering because everyone who only recently got to know her thought her as a somewhat shy and gentle creature. She said something as follows: "I left my family...they are on the other side of the world. My mother and father and sisters, everyone. I was afraid of that. I didn't know if I would find family here. But I did. Right away. They are my Mom and Dad too. They immediately took me as their own daughter. I never felt for a minute that they were not my family. Such good people, I never imagined existed!"
And having the finale of the formal words, the Honoree himself speaks. He rather humbly says: "I want all my children, and their families, to know that I am very proud of every one of you. As Greeks, life is all about a close-knit family. We have a large one, and a close one; and I couldn't be more proud."
Reliving the beginning, that moment 60 years ago and never imagining then what the future would bring, when first wedded, first joined in the sight of God, and in witness of those who then, long ago, were their family and friends who they grew-up among, before were born "all these present now 60 years later;" Husband and Wife - 60 YEARS!"
We did it! (in more than one way!)
Everybody! ...side note: right after this photo the baby of the family at this point, Surya, took his first independent steps!
Grandchildren [All the Cousins] with their Grandparents!
"The Ten" with their Causes of their Original Existence in Emerging into the World!
