Looking at this picture, it’s a wonder my brother Kevin isn’t really screwed up. Well, I mean more than he is now. What was my mother thinking dressing him “totally plaid?” And is that a freakin’ beret? Now look at me. Totally sweet threads! Navy blazer… Gray slacks… White shirt… Hankie… Stylin’, baby! Jeez… Kevin looks like a midget from “Cirque de Plaid.” Sadly, the kid on the right, Kevin Gatti, died in a fire shortly after we moved from East Boston to Wakefield. I remember hearing that as the house on Homer Street was being engulfed, Kevin appeared at a second floor window and was encouraged to jump. He disappeared back into the deadly cloud…

Anyway, this was a happier day, probably a Sunday before or after church at St. Mary’s off Bennington Street. I loved going to that big old church with my grandmother Lily… I don’t recall going with my parents. Maybe they weren’t into it. My mother developed a pretty strong faith later in her life. I guess faith can help you get through some tough stretches of life road. I know it’s helped her. Anyway, I went to the school there through second grade. I had a wicked crush on Sister Laura, but once we got to Wakefield, a mortgage payment replaced tuition and I was on a different path. One that brought me here.

So… here. I have no regrets about the journey and am quite happy where it’s currently winding. Oh, gotta go. I’m winding over to the 5:00 Mass. I hope to hear something interesting. Now where’s my plaid blazer?