Gussied up for Christmas
December 10, 2006

I am gussied up for Christmas, which I had the pleasure of hearing Matt Dahl describe in terms of mental illness.  I am going to have to do some soul searching regarding my behavior.  I really do not like the shopping crazy part of Christmas, but I LOVE the transformation of my home into a twinkling universe.  In truth, I probably logged 50 hours hauling stuff down, fluffing, pre-cleaning the area and installing.  Matt came out and helped me lug the tree down, and did an hour of trimming.  Since Steve and I are his benefactors for the moment- 27 thousand private tuition, car, rent and food allowance- even a heated spot to park in on campus- I think he is getting a good deal as far as reciprocity goes.  But he got an hour of material out of me, so I guess it’s all worth it for him.  I am stung by this, as you can see.  I appreciate that not every one is going to go all gooey over my gazillion little touches.  I would be content to not be the subject of 21-year-old ridicule.  The Irish in me says that when I am long dead, they will recall the abundant light and beauty of the season.  Probably not.

Next year may be a time to rethink this mania, because Patrick, who loves my decorations, and even proposed by the John Hancock Christmas tree, (Take that Matt, and watch out for my Last Will and Testament) is planning to be married in the holiday gap between Christmas and New Year’s next year. Christmas may be just a bit crazier.  I will love that!

Patrick and Rachel have known each other since high school, where she was an earnest and excellent scholar/dancer/singer. Patrick made straight A’s for a time, decided it was a game, and turned his most laser vision to out of school activities.  He dabbled in a thousand activities during high school: he careened from starring in a random play, to a one time only flight lesson, to ditching school and jumping a cheap flight to a McGuire-Sosa home run derby baseball game. His grades were always honor roll, but he was pursuing the liberal arts of life.   He was not a good-boy match for Rachel, and she was dating a classmate. But Pat was smitten. 

Rachel went on to Denison University, where she continued to distinguish herself academically.  Pat settled at Northwestern, mostly indulging his love of reading and writing.  Maybe it was the fact that he had been admitted to a good school that let Rachel see Pat with new eyes.  Maybe it was his boyish charm.  Lord knows, Steve and our family’s testosterone dominated repartee could have sent her scurrying (hell- DID send her scurrying on occasion.) But Rachel is a tough girl.  She hung in.  They dated long distance through college, with some time outs for international study and re-thinking.  When she graduated from college, honor ribbons obscured Rachel’s gown.  She applied to Teach for America, and was selected.  Off she went, to Phoenix.  Pat packed his screenwriting credentials in a truck and set out for LA.  His copy shop job at NU helped him land a job delivering scripts.  He learned the highway system and the back roads on the job.  He has shouldered all of the indignity Hollywood ladles out with a twinkle and a plan.  The Phoenix-LA distance was not too great to sabotage Pat and Rachel.  A couple of years ago, Rachel toyed with coming home to Chicago.  Her Dad, bless him, reminded her that she had never lived in the same time zone as Pat while dating.  He said that she should try it, because coming home would close the door on their chances.  Home would always be there for her.  

They have been in the same rhythm for a year and a half. Pat still hasn’t scared her away.  They shelter each other, care for each other, and provide roots and validation for each other.  They are learning to live outside of themselves, and are rewarded by this ever-strengthening foundation. 

They both miss home, and Pat has 4 more years on his 8-year plan to “make it.” He has moved forward, but TV work is unsteady.  He has hiccupped through 9 different jobs.  He pragmatically knows that success may elude even the most talented…because Hollywood is the land of a million dreams and only a thousand jobs.   He offers Rachel only possibilities, and love.  She is such a wonderful girl that she said yes. 

Since Steve introduced you to Pat some 26 years ago, in utero- I feel compelled to share this next journey as well.  I will try not to intrude on their privacy, but my joy is bubbling over.  I will write about every step of this next stage of life.  It inspires me, and reminds me of a love-blind Janet who trucked off to Chicago with a DJ who was determined to annoy listeners and bosses into giving him-and us- a future.  It’s a leap of faith, love is.  I am proud of Pat and Rachel for jumping.