Monday, March 31, 2008

I Love You More!

This last Saturday we celebrated my Aunt’s 60th birthday with a big 50’s themed party.

My church has a big hall that any of the members are allowed to use at no cost so it works out great. We had a bunch of food, lots of fun decorations like records and balloons, and so many people that we had to set up extra tables to accommodate.

The highlight of the party was an Elvis impersonator who was going to be entertaining us and my aunt especially. Her name is Addie and she has Down syndrome. She is my mothers older sister and the 8th in the family of 9 nine kids! My mom is the baby of the bunch.

When we were kids we used to live with my Grandparents and Addie. Me and my sisters grew quite close to her and I think know her very well. She is energetic, loving, hard headed, tough gal who taught me how to make movie cameras out of folded newspaper, build “Hollywood” out of Lego’s, and sing “What’s New Pussycat” over and over again. More than anything, Addie taught all of us about unconditional love.

Every gift you buy her is “Her favorite!” Ever person she sees she hugs. If you will sit and talk to her then she loves you. No matter what you feed her. No matter how you look at her. If you are around and you acknowledge her then she loves you. Without question. But if you are “The King” then she does not just love you…

“I LOVE YOU MORE!”

I must have heard her say that 1000 times on Saturday and each time, I loved hearing it even more. “Elvis” held her hand as he sang and entertained us. She stood by his side singing EVER SINGLE LYRIC and dancing throughout the performance. Every time a song would end “Elvis” would sing a line acapella and then stick the mic in Addie’s face and she would also sing the line but then sing “I LOVE YOU MOOOOOOORRREEE” to the same tune of the song. It was awesome!

At one point “Elvis” (who’s real name is George too!) came over to the DJ booth to hand me a different CD to use. He said, “Wow, she is awesome! She has so much energy I wish all my parties were like this.” I responded with, “Oh yeah man, Addie is the best!”

He went back out and took the mic from her after she was singing “He’s my guy!” and “I love you MORE!” over and over.

Elvis said, “Wow. You know if everyone gave this much love to one another, this world would be a perfect place!” Everyone at the party applauded and cheered. Righty O Elvis, Righty O!

He asked Addie, “What do you think about that? You are like the star up here! I am just the opening act for you!”

She said…

“I. LOVE. YOU. MORE!!!!”

6 comments:

Lea said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDIE!

Sounds like such a fun party :)
Elvis is right on the money with his comments.

Anonymous said...

george,
you have the most awesome family. i adore your closeness and unconditional love that you all share.

landileigh

Donna said...

Happy Birthday, Addie!

You do have a great family, George. You are blessed.

Michelle said...

What a wonderful tribute to a special Aunt!

and what a Gorgeous picture of (I'm assuming) your grandmother and her baby!!!! Simply beautiful.

George said...

lea - It was a blast!

Landileigh - I agree, my family rocks!

donna - I am.

Michelle - I love that pitcure too. You are correct, that is my grandma and my aunt. It is just a perfect capture of the love between a child and a mom. You can see the love between them. I LOVE that picture.

k2 said...

George -
She sounds great! I only hope that my nieces and nephews thin of me the way you think of her. WHAT A GIFT THAT YOU BOTH HAVE IN ONE ANOTHER.
k2