On July 4, 2002 at your Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda’s home in Akron we were having a Halle-reunion and combo 80th B-Day party for Grandma Estelle. Christine, Danny and I (with Bob & Linda secretly read-in) had pre-arranged to have a “spontaneous/surprise” wedding. We gave Grandma a gift box that had a wine glass and cloth napkin – hint, hint. Jon was taking a video of Grandma opening her presents with some very funny commentary. When she opened the box, everyone in the room immediately got that we were about to be married. Grandma seemed clueless, so Jon asked her several leading questions:
Mom: Oh, a wine glass and napkin, … oh how nice (said with no enthusiasm)
Q: So Mom, what do you use the wine glass for?
A: As a Kiddish cup, yes?
Q: How about the cloth napkin?
A: To wipe your mouth?
Q: How about both together?
A: Maybe you could use the napkin to clean the glass?
Jon: Mom, you ARE the weakest link! Goodbye.
Finally she got it – You’re going to get married???
Stan: Yes, Mom.
Mom: When?
Stan: Soon
Bob: We’d love to offer our home as a convenient place to do your wedding (nod-nod, wink-wink)
Just then, the Rabbi walks in with a ‘Porta-Chuppah’ (as Jon called it). His timing was perfect. Perhaps youremember that you passed out right in the middle of the ceremony – which everyone except Christine and me saw (since our backs were to the crowd). Your Dad about dropped the Porta-Chuppah pole to come to your rescue.
It was one of the last family gatherings before your Dad passed away five months later.
Celebrating Jon 