[Rap]

It is with a glad heart with just the last inklings of a bittersweet emotion that I must announce the end of an era. It has been coming for some time. In fact the seeds were planted long ago. I suspect that when I accepted the fact that I had broken the "First Commandment" I realized that this day was coming. When was the unanswered question. Now before all you religious types start up on the first commandment comment, let me splain.

The First Commandment refers to the First Commandment of bachelorhood. As we should all know, even those of you who haven't existed in this blissful state of existence in what must seem forever, the First Commandment of bachelorhood clearly states that one shouldn't date women with children. No good can come out of it. You are of course allowed to go out with a woman with children but only to play and fool around. The Commandment is quite clear on this. I followed it for years with great success and conquest. It was similar to putting a ball into the cup while it hung over the edge of the cup. A can't miss. A no brainier. A gimme.


Yet despite this, I broke the First Commandment. Why you ask? Was it for the thrill? Was it something that got out of hand? Was it stupidity? Surely I had been out with women with kids before with no problems. So what happened? I will leave that for all of you to figure out.


Next Saturday after 59 years my bachelorhood comes to a halt. Many could with some degree of correctness argue that it has been over for some time. Now it's really over!


Now I join the ranks of so many of you. How was your day dear? Did you have a good day dear? What happened at the office dear?


Oh right, sorry I forgot I have been already living that part!


Onward Christian soldiers. I'm going over to the garage and smoke a cigar.

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[az968]

Congratulations, Rap!


First thought that entered my mind is "can she turn a wrench"? You can sure use the help! ?

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[ds968]

Congrats ! And remember, marriage is not a word, it's a sentence ! Hey, I've been married for nearly 40 years and I don't regret a single day of it ( to be more specific, that single day which I don't regret was sometime in 1982 I think ...). Parrrrump-pum , I got a million of 'em !


But nothing wrong with making an honest man out of yourself after all these years of wild bachelorhood , and simply enjoy the second " era " to come !!


Btw, when I say nearly 40 years married I meant it ; on July 23 of this year that milestone will be met .

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[Rap]

Az I can turn a wrench pleasee that's it of course! Unfortunately that's not one of her talents. Thanks Ds. just how old are you?

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[MCL968]

That's a relief, I thought you were selling your car!

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[94SilverCab]

No man knows true happiness until he is married, and then it's too late.

 

On my father's 40th anniversary I found him crying, I asked him what was wrong. "From the day I married your Mother I hated her, I wanted to kill her right away." but his father told him if he did that he would spend 40 years in prison. "Today, I would have been a free man", he sobbed.

 

Best wishes,

 

Jay

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[Bulti]

Condolences Rap.

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[ds968]

Thanks Ds. just how old are you?

About 20 years older than I look ! :-) :-)

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[Rap]

Nice try. Medicare sits well with you!

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[optigolf]

Congratulations Bob from your nowadays Aussie friend, married since -74, known Tuula since -62 (some 54 years!), but only few days ago had 66 birthday.

I hope you will have good time as married man and enjoyable DE season too.

I will have one for you with a cigar, Mark

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[Rap]

Thanks Mark.

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[lbpesq]

Congrats, Rap! You lasted longer than me - I was 46 when I took the plunge, (for the first and last time), 15 years ago to a lovely women with a kid. Let me pass on some words of advice my father, a wise man, passed along to me on that auspicious day:


If your wife is happy, you have a chance to be happy. If your wife isn't happy, you are not going to be happy.


Don't fight with your wife ... but if you should get in a fight with your wife, for God's sake, don't win!

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[Ryan]

I thought the car was going too. Congrats are in order.

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[Ernie]

I'm avoiding it like the plague! If I can eek out another 7 years, I can beat you Rap! Alas, I have a very happy girlfriend with a great job and she happens to love the 968... so who knows? In any event, congratulations and good luck to you!

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[ds968]

Just sayin' ...

   

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[Rap]

Long ago I encouraged Liz to find hobbies for when she retired. So she got into horses and competes. Nary a word is said when I go off to car events. Summer weekends one of us is generally away. This works perfectly. She has never said a word about the cars. Of course she has no idea how much goes into them. You are right happiness is the key and I have always worked hard at that. By the way she is retiring in one month. So the timing is perfect!

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[ds968]

She's into horses and you're into horse power , that's harmony IMO. :-)

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[Ryan]

And you don't want to know how much goes into the horses..........

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[az968]

Bob, tomorrow is the day you (w)Rap up your life of bachelorhood! Enjoy the day!

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[Rap]

Gentleman the hour is quickly approaching. I've chartered a plane and have it on hold till 4:00 PM in the event I decide to change my mind and make a run for it! Here comes the bride here comes the bride. My sister gives me hourly countdowns just to keep me informed.

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