Growing up Shea: A legacy of laughter

It's never good to start a blog off with an apology, but this photo (circa 1986) requires it.

My apologies to my sisters for dressing them in these bridesmaid dresses. At the time, I thought everyone could wear them again. Apparently I wasn't wrong--- they were used for Halloween costumes as the years went by.

My apologies to Dale Evans. Apparently I thought I could pull off the western wear bridal hat, but apparently, no one but Dale has that right,

My apologies to Fran, my brother's girlfriend. One look at my brother's perm is going to have her in gales of laughter for a week and probably pull a muscle.

My apoologies to the Family Feud. Apparently we stole this pose from the t.v show. Little wonder, my mother loved Richard Dawson. Good answer, good answer.

My apologies to my nieces and nephews and my son. This was taken pre almost all of them except Christopher, the oldest grandchild. I know the colors of the 80s are a bit blinding and I should have warned you all to wear sunglasses.

My apologies to my husband Jim who is still trying to figure out why in the world I have dark hair when I swear that I am a natural red head. All I can say is, Clairol 54, and 75 gave way to Revlon Auburn Sunset. Good answer, good answer.

So what is the point of this stroll down memory lane? Well, this was the only photo with us four kids and my parents I could find. I know there are others, but I just got off the phone with my sister and this blog is fresh in my head.

At the start of it all, there's your family. And in the middle, they are the ones you count on, And in the end, they are still the ones who love you, even when you screw things up.

A lot has changed since this photo was taken. All but one of us is divorced. Babies have been born and are now adults (or at least so they think). My father has passed, but is still as much as presence as ever. But we're all still family and we are all there for each other every day. As that saying goes, We may not be all there, but we're all there for each other.

I sometimes forget when writing this blog that words that I think are funny, may be mistaken by others as taunting or unkind. Nothing could be further from the truth when I write. I try and make others laugh, but nothing is ever meant to wound. I leave that to political campaigns and the SLAM books of the 1960s.

I love my family, all of it. The inlaws, the outlaws, the nieces, nephews and the ones to be. The cousins, the aunts, the uncles, all that goes into having grown up Shea.

And here's to my folks who didn't plan on raising two comedians but ended up doing so. And to my siblings for having not only gone along with me for the journey, but letting me share these family moments with others so I can pass on a legacy of laughter.