I Suck At The South Shore Country Club

yesterday, our final painting that we got on our cruise to the bahamas at the beginning of the year arrived. the painting is a type of art known as "kinetic" art. karen really enjoyed that particular work of art... and the frame that it came in. so hopefully some day soon, we can have a little unveiling party.

to celebrate, karen and i went to the south shore country club located in hingham. okay, so maybe we weren't celebrating the arrival of the painting. we were actually celebrating the birthday of my friend's (pam) daughter (keira) who had just turned the ripe old age of one year.

pam, who lives in bon jovi's home state of new jersey, was back in massachusetts this weekend to celebrate keira's birthday with her family and friends. the party was to be held at the south shore country club, particularly the bowling alley of the country club. unfortunately, i suck at the south shore country club.

(pictured below is pam's husband and the birthday girl.)


i have not been to the south shore country club in quite some time. i think the last time i was there was for my nephew's (pj) school fundraiser, which was a few years ago. and as luck would have it, i was there today at the south shore country club with the same people: my favorite sister-in-law (janine), my favorite brother-in-law (pj), pj, and my niece (kaleigh). truth be told, i never even knew the south shore country club had a bowling alley up until keira's birthday party... although i probably should have figured they would because after all... it's hingham. just kidding.

anyway, the party was interesting. for the most part, all the kids bowled while the adults hung out. watching pj and kaleigh bowl was rather amusing. kaleigh even attempted to show the daughter (emma) of one of pam's friends (kim) how to bowl. emma simply dropped the bowling ball...

all in all, i think all the kids who attended had a great time. i sometimes wonder if this is what parenting is supposed to feel or be like... a bunch of parents gathering together, swapping baby stories, and enjoying time with everyone's children. my son (braden) passed away last year at the age of one week. sadly, i'll never know what it feels like to bring him to a bowling party, swap stories, and all of that. all i can do is simply watch other parents enjoy themselves with their children and think what if...

perhaps some day i'll know what it feels like. right now, i sort of feel like i'm in a holding pattern... a father without a child to raise... it's an empty feeling inside that i sometimes don't know if i'll ever shake or feel right again. but the whole experience definitely makes me appreciate everyone and everything that i do have in my life.

oh yes, before i forget, here is the shameless plug for the bowling party as promised to pam: the pizza was "yum-o". pam's father ordered pizza from... i think the place is called "the express" in weymouth. the pizza was good. i think i actually may have eaten an entire pizza all by myself.

anyway, it was a good time. happy birthday keira! i hope you enjoyed the day... and i hope you enjoyed pj feeding you too.