Friday was Jackson Barrow’s graduation, but yesterday was the party. . . and what a party it was! First of all, the big behind-the-scenes drama was whether or not the Barrows house – undergoing extensive renovation – was going to be finished in time for the party. (As of 11:30 yesterday morning, thanks to all of the delays and setbacks, they didn’t have running water.) We were watching that drama with special interest because if it proved impossible for the party to happen at their house, then it was going to happen at ours. But thanks to a frantic burst of last minute effort from many different people, the party was able to happen at Jackson’s house after all . . . and it was about as spectacularly successful as a party could possibly be. (His mom, Kate, is amazing when it comes to throwing parties and to achieving miracles.)
And at the heart of it was this wonderful young man – Jackson Barrow – Jackpot to his friends and loved ones – who was our reason for gathering in the first place. One of the neatest things about the party was just watching how warmly and sincerely Jackson greeted everybody at the party . . . from 18-year-old classmates to a 95-year-old friend of the family and everyone in between. Jackson has a heart that is a mile high and a mile wide with room for everyone in it.
Another neat thing about the party was realizing that all of the wonderful people crowded within those four walls played some role in who Jackpot has grown up to be. . . from his folks and sister Anneka to his grandparents, aunts and uncles. . . to honorary aunts and uncles like Kathy and me . . . friends in all shapes and sizes and colors and flavors . . . classmates . . . and even his pets. . . . all who have helped to shape Jackson into the wonderful, unique young man he is. Every one of us is who we are in large measure because of all those with whom we have shared our lives in one way or another – those we love and who love us – and one of the best things about big Red Letter Days like this is how they give us a chance to gather together what one might call our Significant Others. (Not that kind of significant other, but rather those people who have been and continue to be significant in our lives.)
By the way, one of the things that was especially fun about this party was that I feel like I spent more time in the kitchen over the last three days than I had in all the rest of my life put together. I used a food processor for the first time ever. . . and then a second time. I de-boned a Turkey. (what a job.) I cut bacon with kitchen shears. I drained beans. Okay, those last two jobs are not exactly rocket science. But for me, participating in the preparation of Turkey Mash and Calico Beans was as close to an Emeril moment as I am likely to ever have. And I wouldn’t have stretched myself so far outside of my comfort zone for just anyone. . . but it was great to do it for Jackson Potter Barrow.
pictured above: Jackson with his Grandma Mim.