New Pic of Tricia and her hubby Ceasar
ABOUT KENNY CREIGHTON (FIRST RILEY FAMILY OUTLAW)
As I was reading the blog I started thinking about Kenny and how long I've known him and how much he's been a part of my life and everyone in the whole family. I've known Kenny longer than anyone in the family and am proud to call him my brother-in-law. He is really more liike a brother. He's been with us through all our ups and downs and always had an ear to listen to any problems, good news, complaints, or just plain old gossip. Being a man of few words, if you asked him what he thought, he would always tell you the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not.
He has always been a good guy, a really good guy. A great husband, father, son, brother, uncle, in-law (or out-law, as he and Danny call themselves). I can only remember one request that stands out in my mind. A few years back, he said he would really appreciate it if I would marry someone that he liked. Since we all spend so much time together, I could understand that request. I won't get into my first marriage (the blog's not big enough). I finally did marry someone that Kenny does like.
I guess everybody knows the worn out story of how I introduced Kenny to my sister, Pat, and how I've held it over her head for years. Something like"If it wasn't for me, you may not have had such a good husband, so, you OWE ME!" I have to admit that particular deed on my part was probably one of the best things I've ever done. Even poor Mom thought Kenny was a hood. But I knew better. I met him when I was thirteen and he was the best friend to my boyfriend at that time. When Kenny and his girlfriend broke up, I jumped at the chance to introduce him to my sister by arranging a date for them. It worked out and the rest is history. Mom soon found out that Kenny was not a hood (he dressed like one for self protection reasons) and grew to love him as we all did.
I'm getting a little sentimental but I would like to thank Kenny for being a part of our family and for always being there not just me but for all of us Rileys in some way or another. (I know he's got to be sick of helping people move!) We are lucky to have him.
Thanks Ken! Especially thanks for taking such good care of my sister all these years..
Your favorite Sister-in-Law (I'm trying to start something),
Mary Ellen
MIKE'S NAME
Since Mary Ellen talked earlier about how we name so many people after one another, here's a story with a twist. Back in the days of my parents generation, the man filled out the form at the hospital naming the baby. Mom and Dad had discussed the future baby's name. If it was a boy Mom wanted to name him after her father, Robert Calvin (Grandpa Baker's name). Daddy had other ideas but went along with her. So, Mike is born and Daddy fills out the form and puts in the name Michael Kevin. The story goes that Daddy wanted Mike to have a good Irish Catholic name. I'm not sure when Mom found out but they kept the name and that's why Mike isn't named after anyone. (But he named his son Michael!) - Patricia
RILEY MEMORIES BY JENNY
My Aunt Ann was the most influential Baker in my life. She was a kind, compassionate caregiver to us children, especially when we were rascals. She had the most distinctive voice. I can still hear it in my head. I remember being around Aunt Ann when she lived on a court in a small brick house and when she lived with her daughter, Aunt Mary Ellen.
Tricia was the same age as me and throughout grade school we spent a lot of really fun times together using our easy bake oven, playing barbies, fighting with Scotty and Joey, and running around like all kids do. Aunt Mary Ellen and Aunt Ann were always keeping an eye on us. Aunt Mary Ellen was so fun. She always had something sassy to say; together they acted almost like sisters. I never remember getting scolded, even when Aunt Mary Ellen had to drive us to and from school for a week (story later in Lila’s section). I remember always thinking I wish my grandma (Lila) was as much fun as Tricia’s!
I didn't really know what type of work most of the adults around me did, but somehow I knew Aunt Ann was a nurse. I must have looked at her nurse picture (the same one on the blog) a hundred times, she must have had it hanging in her bedroom. I remember emulating her from a very young age, even making a nurse hat out of paper towels that looked just like the one in her picture. I wore it when I helped my mom post-op with her two kidney stone surgeries. When no one else in my family could help her clean the wounds, I was ready. For me, the most enduring kind of strength comes from an individual’s ability to help others, and Aunt Ann was a living example of this ideal. I remember Aunt Ann’s wonderful and peaceful spirit. She had a great influence on me choosing a health care profession (dentistry). Thanks Aunt Ann!
Some of my favorite memories of childhood are those spent at another
cousins' house. Mary Ellen (named after Aunt Mary Ellen) and Stephanie were so fun and had the best parents! I was always impressed how Patricia and Kenny made so much room in their house for the girls. They had a playroom downstairs, a dog, a piano, a fun bedroom and a specially built dormer to have another living room area upstairs. I don't remember ever watching TV; there was always something more fun to do. It was the best when I got to spend the night. We'd listen to albums like "Hello Mudda" -that camp song and "On top of Old Smokey" where the lyrics were changed to "I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed"... I always appreciated the joy and musicality of their household. I still vow to get a piano and learn Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" myself. I can still hear Mary Ellen playing it; she was so nice to play it over and over again just because I loved it. I remember having card game nights and Christmas parties at their house and everybody singing and happy, including Grandma Lila.
As an adult, I really liked going to their church for family Christmas parties. It was fun to sing carols, hear everyone play musical instruments, and just be with family for an afternoon during the holidays. I am so grateful for Patricia's efforts to keep the spirit of fun and togetherness in this Baker family alive.
PARTNERS IN CRIME BY KENNY
I have a little story to share about Ann Riley. I was a part of her household for quite a while as I dated her daughter, Patricia, for over 5 years before we got married. Our dating was mostly hanging around their house and the occasional movie, dance, or eating at Jerry's or Parkette. I was at their house all the time. I went to the family picnics, Stanton, whatever, to be with my girl.
One weekend they were going to Stanton and Ann was frying chicken and everybody else was upstairs getting ready. I was in the kitchen talking to her as she took the chicken out of the pan and put it on a plate to drain on paper towels. Then her hand accidentally hit the plate and knocked some chicken in the sink full of dishwater!
I don't remember what she said, but she was upset. We picked the chicken up out of water, rinsed it off, dried it, and took it to the family get together in Stanton like nothing happened. We never told anybody that day about what happened.
No comments:
Post a Comment