Two for '22

https://www.meyersfh.com/obituaries/Donald-M-Jacobs?obId=25258586   Sadly, what I have just posted tonight is the obituary for Donald M Jacobs.  Don was a very important figure in my life, early in my career at Penn Dining.  Don made us all feel, in Hospitality Services, as if we were part of a big family, his family.  So, on the 182nd day of 2022 my two for 2022 are Don Jacobs and the Penn Dining Family.  It's amazing, as we sit here on 7/1/2022, it has been over twenty two years since I worked for Penn Dining, Hospitality Services, Campus Dining, Campus Services, Business Services... it does not matter what we were called, we were all working together to bring the best food, the best events, the best SERVICES to the Penn Campus.  And, even though these are folks I have not worked with for over two decades, I still send them holiday cards, see them at picnics and BBQs, revel in the news of their kids' graduations and weddings, and babies, and and and....

 

 

 

 

  2+ Years.  My two for 2022 is 2+ Years.  Because, on day #177 of 2022, we worshipped in the renovated Sanctuary of Old First Reformed UCC.  The last time we were together in such a way was March 8th, 2020.  MARCH 8TH, 2020!!!  Yes, we were in this space on Easter, but it was not quite finished. And, on 6/26/2022, we were back.  And it was so nice to be so and I look forward to many years to come in this space!  Thanks to all of the workers who worked in this space and Michael, Janice, Devan, Beth, and all of the other members of Old First who volunteered their time for the benefits of us all!

As granddaughters of two piano teacher grandmothers, the Sherr Sisters were destined to take piano lessons.  And, fifteen years ago, Alexa started, at age 5, with Ms. Anna Sakoian.  Ms. Anna told us all a story, at the Recital on 6/25/2022, about how Anna told her, "I'm not playing the piano," because she was taking gymnastics at the time.  Well, she did continue with gymnastics but, three years later, Anna DID join her sister in taking lessons with Ms. Anna.  It all came to a final recital on the 176th day of 2022.  And, I'll admit to it, I was crying pretty hard as Ms. Anna said goodbye to Anna and, to us, the Sherr Family.  My Two for 2022 tonight are my daughters and the piano.  I am so glad my daughters pursued music.  Performing music, especially in front of others, is a lot like life.  Sometimes you perform alone, sometimes you perform with a group.  Sometimes you do a great job, sometimes you hit a rough patch BUT, when you do, y...

The Minors LL District Tournament started in District 13 on the 175th day of 2022.  So I found myself, on 6/24/2022, on the Collingswood LL field with my good friends Chris Sammon and Tommy P.  We were the three-person crew for the opening game.  I had not been on the field as an ump since July of 2021 BUT, because of my amazing partners, the only issues I had tonight was moving quick on my sore ankle.  My Two For Twenty Two for tonight are Little League and Umpiring.  Remember, the umps never get to sit down during the game!  AND, the best games we have is when nobody remembers us.

  My Two for 2022 for 6/23/2022 are UP and UD.  We spent the 174th day of  2022 on the UD Campus at Anna's New Student Orientation.  They did such a nice job and we got a lot of information and met a lot of new people.  It made me realize that now, in our family, we have two schools to which we have allegiance and they are both pretty amazing places.  Penn will always be my alma mater, where I met my wife, my work home for 3+ decades, and an amazing place for Alexa, but I very much look forward to learning more, exploring, and watching Anna's successes at the University of Delaware.  I guess I am truly a Quaker Blue Hen.  Hurrah for the Red and Blue and Gold.

I am nothing if not a creature of habit and that is why, on the 173rd day of 2022, my first time on campus in a month, I pulled into my parking garage and went right to the 6th floor.  I like parking near the top and in the same general area each time, so I never forget where the van is.  And, I was lucky on 6/22/2022 because I got "my spot."  No, unlike the spot in the picture, this spot is NOT reserved and certainly not for me.  BUT, I love parking in the same place, and any time I get my favorite spot, it's gonna be a great day. 

The 172nd day of 2022 is also the longest day of light of 2022.  So my Two for 2022 on 6/21/2022 is Light and Happiness. Maybe I am still feeling the elation from last night's graduation, but even 600+ emails and a bunch of work tasks can't temper my feeling of happiness today.  Or maybe it's that there was so much light outside today!  Either way, light makes me happy!

  And that's a wrap, on the 171st day of 2022, for the NJ Sherr Family and the Oaklyn/Collingswood Public School System.  9 years of OPS (K-8) and 4 years of CHS (9-12) came to a culmination at Anna's HS Graduation on 6/20/2022.  And, as I gazed out on the gowns of Blue and Gold and reminisced about the Blue and Gold Nights at OPS and looked forward to the times we will spend on the Campus of UD, it is fun to think that Anna's colors will never have to change,  My Two for 2022 are the colors Blue and Gold.  From OPS to CHS to UD, Blue and Gol will be Anna's Colors and, although they may have to share time with the Red and Blue, the colors we will also wear.  Congratulations to all of the Class of 2022 HS Graduates this month, especially those in Collingswood/Oaklyn/Woodlynne who finished at CHS but it has also been fun to see all of my friends' pictures from high schools local and afar.  I guess I have a lot of friends with kids of this age :-).  ...

So Day #170 is Fathers Day and Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there.  And also, on 6/19/2022, Happy Fathers Day to those who raise children without a Father present in the home, or who have lost their Fathers or, as some do, have complicated relationships with their Dad.  I am lucky, today, to be able to celebrate Fathers Day with both of my daughters (after they got home from work) as well as with MY Dad who is here from CA for Anna's Graduation.  AND with my Father in Law, Jim, who is also here, from York, PA, for Anna's celebration tomorrow.  My Two For 2022 are fathers and the children who make them so.  I have gratitude for my dad, who, with my mom, raised me to be the person who I am today and, I have EXTREME gratitude for the two young women whose presence in this world let me be their father.  The best thing in my life is my family and being a Dad is one of the best things that ever happened to me.  HAPPY FATHERS DAY!  

Well the 169th day of 2022 was huge for one thing for sure around here, Graduation Parties.  So, my two for 2022 are Graduation and Parties.  I mean Graduation is not until Monday, but the parties were a plenty on 6/18/2022.  We threw a nice backyard party for Anna and she then went off the a myriad of other parties to which she had been invited.  I do not remember Grad Parties being such a big thing when I was a kid, but maybe this is just selective memory.  But it was GREAT to celebrate our 2022 Grad with family and friends and, of course, good food.  The Big Event is now only two days away.....

 

 

 

 

Ah, we have come to June 13th, 6/13/2022.  And the 164th day of 2022 is the birthday of two of my dearest friends.  I love that my Two for 2022, my good friends Kathy and Alex, share June 13th as their Bday.  Because, when it comes down to it, friends are some of the most valuable people in our lives.  Especially friends with whom you grew up.  With Alex, it was growing up as a child and then a teen and then a college student.  With Kathy, it was growing as a parent, as a coach, as a volunteer.  I do not talk with Alex or Kathy as much as I want to or, frankly, as much as I should.  But, on their day of days today, I hope they realize how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate their presence in my life, as a grew up in the many ways that one grows in their lives.  I still have a lot of growing to do and I look forward to doing so with my friends, Kathy and Alex!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRIENDS! 

On the 163rd day of 2022, I have immense gratitude for my friend James Stallworth who reminded me that today. 6/12/2022, we celebrate Loving Day.  Why?, you ask. Well on June 12th, 1967, Mildred and Richard Loving won their landmark case against Virginia that, basically, struck down state laws against interracial marriages.  That's right, it's only been 55 years since those archaic laws were finally disbanded.  And it got me thinking about the all the assaults against Civil Rights that seem to be on the horizon.  State governments seem to be about to prevail at making laws that eliminate women's right to choose what happens to their bodies and what is then next?  Gay marriage?  Other LGTBQ Rights?  Interracial Marriage?  Many of you may think I am going to far here and I surely try not to be too political on my Facebook Page, but I feel like it is time to speak out.  My Two for 2022 tonight is Pride and Prejudice.  It's GREAT to see all ...

My Two for 2022 for the 162nd day of 2022, 6/11/2022, are my Aunt Teddy and Hazel Howkins.  Because my Aunt turned 80 today and Hazel turned 13.  And, although I could not be in California for Teddy's celebration (man am I missing that chocolate cake with peanut butter icing!), I was able to sing on Marco Polo for Teddy to hear, even if belatedly.  And, I WAS able to continue our wonderful Oaklyn Snack Stand tradition with Hazel that has been going on since her 3rd or 4th birthday (we cannot remember when it started).  But we had funnel fries with ice cream and an amazing candle, we sang to Teddy on her birthday and then we had a BONUS celebration with Sylvia for her birthday dinner celebrating her birthday on Thursday!  We still want to cook for her at the Snack Stand, maybe it'll happen.  Birthdays and celebrations and happiness, it was a good day! 

  Yesterday's reflection was about the community of Oaklyn and so is the one for the 161st day of 2022.  We spent the evening of 6/10/2022 at the Oaklyn Civic Association's Italian Dinner on the Avenue.  A great tradition that, thankfully, it back from its Covid induced hiatus.  We saw friends and family.  We had good food and good conversation and we experienced the "Hometown Spirit" that makes Oaklyn the place I love to live.  My Two for 2022 is Oaklyn and Hometown Spirit.  It's a small town feel adjacent to a region (both Philadelphia and South Jersey) with big city resources.  So glad we moved here!

The 160th day of 2022 is the last day that the Currie Family will live in Oaklyn.  Yes, 6/9/2022 is a rough day for my nostalgic side.  Because, as a younger parent, just having another set of parents around to use as a model, mentors, a guide was quite comforting.  Because wherever we went to get involved, the Curries were there.  PTA Meeting, can we get involved, the Curries were there.  Little League, can we coach?  Can we volunteer?  The Curries were there.  OMAYSC, OEF, and then the Collingswood HS PTA, we got involved, and the Curries were there.  I am not sure I can conceive Oaklyn without the Curries, so I just won't.  Because the Curries might be moving away from Oaklyn but for me, they will always still be a part of my community.  So my Two For 2022 are Rich and Denise Currie - cornerstones of my Oaklyn experience, now and forever!

 

 

 

The two for 2022 for the 156th day of 2022 is actually a reflection from the day before.  No, not the anniversary of my parents again, but tonight, on 6/5/2022, I would like to celebrate the two additional things from yesterday I really enjoyed.  My Two For '22 tonight is Snack Stand and Softball.  Not a surprising coupling for a Spring Saturday in June!  Sarah and I started out in the Snack Stand for two Tee Ball Games and a Coach Pitch Softball game and, as usual, many smiles were seen on the faces of the kids.  It made me realize why, even though we no longer have kids in the league, I love running the snack stand and I love seeing happy kids (and happy parents are cool as well!)  And then, after we cleaned up, we quickly changed and drove to Seton Hall (amazingly, I have lived in NJ for 22 years, all of them while working in Higher Education, and NEVER had I been on the campus of SHU before!)  Why, you ask?  Well, the Haddon Heights Softball T...

  I post this picture a lot on this date and why should anything be different on 6/4/2022.  The 155th day of 2022 is my parents' 56th wedding anniversary.  It was actually the 156th day of 1966, Leap Year and all, but what's a day between friends.  Yes tonight's two for 2022 are Bonnie and David Sherr.  My Amazing Parents.  For 56 years they have been married, have finished four graduate degrees between them (their two bachelors degrees were before the wedding, my dad's one month prior), owned only three houses (I like the stability) and a few apartments here and there, raised two children (I think we turned out pretty well), supported four grandchildren and COUNTLESS other friends and family members, and have been the best role models this guy could have ever asked for.  I feel amazing blessed to have won the birthing lottery and to have had this amazing couple as my parents.  And I feel equally blessed for each year of their marriage.  Here...

  Laundry has always been my primary responsibility in our household.  And, although 6/3/2022 is not a Sunday, I am sitting here, in the evening of the 154th day of 2022, doing laundry.  But there is something different tonight.  Usually a mid-week laundry load would be because of an upcoming sports weekend, and uniforms must be washed.  But now, Alexa has work this weekend, after working shifts this week as well, and I need to get her scrubs clean.  My two for 2022 is uniforms and scrubs.  Just another indication of the transformation about to be undertaken as both of our young adult offspring will be out of our house in the Fall.  We are transitioning to smaller laundry loads.  And, when they are home, we have transitioned from uniforms to scrubs.  I am dealing with the change.  Maybe not that well, but I will get there.

The 153rd day of 2022 was Anna's Prom Night.  So, on 6/2/2022, my Two for 2022 has to be Anna and Alex.  They went to the prom as friends, because they have been friends for the past decade and a half, since pre-school.  Through OPS (part of the only class to graduate OPS from the 8th grade), through CHS (the only class to arrive, at CHS from OPS, in the 9th Grade), through HS, through it all.  Always friends.  And Anna has always been my princess but tonight, my heart skipped a beat!  The rain held off, we got great pics with family and friends and, as my fellow Class of 2022 Parent said on her Facebook tonight, let the Graduation Celebrations begin.  Prom, Senior Trip, Graduation, Project Graduation.... a month of fun will ensue.  But tonight, we celebrated prom and so glad Anna and Alex are friends and made such a great looking pair for this evening! 

I am stealing this picture from my wife on the 152nd day of 2022.  Because 6/1/2022 is the 18th birthday for my wonderful daughter, Anna!  I cannot believe it, here it is, in our 23rd year of marriage, we now no longer have kids in the house.  Sure, we have offspring, but they are no longer kids.  That's right, the two for 2022 for tonight is two offspring, no kids.  Now all we have are young adults in my house.  I am both happy and nostalgic.  And I will figure out this next phase of my life.  But for tonight, let's just celebrate Anna and enjoy her day!