THE CHRISTMAS ANNUAL GET TO TOGETHER 2012

THE BRAUNAGEL CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER 2012..
 The Annual Christmas party was a blast.. We had a Ginger bread Contest, but The Paras Castellina(Castle in Italian) Entry was eliminated because of too much , over the top.. Outrageous!! But the usual suspects were in full effect you have the drinkers talking about the same old stuff.. high school days. what hell raisers they were, the demise of America , and other raging topics.. Then you have the Navy Retirees with their inside jokes. I must say 20 years of Navy life and sea life,, does do something to your psyche... It makes you mental.. I mean think about it.. You are asked to follow a very strict set of rules and grooming standards and told what to do and when to do it.. Its a humbling , depressing , and often times. frustrating way of life.. If you love your independence and having family around.. Then the Military or the Navy is not a great way of life.. Especially with all the stress about weight standards , and progression. The years at sea is that,.,. Lost time.. Those missed birthdays, and wedding anniversaries and such.. catches up with you. YOU miss the Love and bonding you would normally have if you were home.. To be honest,..I wouldn't or couldn't be a military spouse ,. male or female.. I mean your spending a great portion of your life.. On your own.. Is that really what people want.. and if you have kids.. then that time with wifey is even less bonding.. no wonder when divorces and such happen.. Its the kids both spouses really fight for.. But as much as I love and adore my kids.. I really want them to grow up and leave the Nest.. It sounds mean.. But I really want to travel and spend time with wifey without worrying about what my kids want.. I know they love me because I'm a great pop locker , break dancer and a comedian.. But I also feel like I dedicated a lifetime to bring them up.. I 'm looking forward to watching my youngest son go through the cycles of life that I did with my eldest...and I will enjoy it.. But I'm also looking forward to just being with wifey .. Its what the Golden years is all about.. 
 But the Annual parties and the usual groups doing their things.. Its really special bonding that is emotional and at times sad.. Why? Well I see many of the kids growing up and not being kids anymore and we have teenagers with attitude and dreams. and then you see the nieces and nephews... just drifting through life.. I know they are still young./. But in today's fast pace and expensive life style.. You cant waste too much time deciding what you want to do.. Time is fleeting and fast.. When you are 24 and up.. Its time to be done with schooling and begin thinking about Marriage and raising kids.. or such.. But the longer you wait , the harder it is to have everything you want.. 
 I feel like I have done all I wanted to do,,, Serve this Great Nation.. Marry well and raise good law abiding , God fearing kids.. with goals and aspirations.. Have my kids disappointed.. oh yes.. daily, weekly , monthly.. But I still encourage them. But it hurts to see relatives that are not getting their lives in check.. But Hey like the football season.. Maybe Next year ? 
 Lastly , time is fleeting and fast.. and I know when all the kids grow up and the rest get older .. and Move on.. These get togethers will be less frequent . and the chaos will be less and a sad reminder that our lives are going the full cycle.. Like anything in life , nothing last forever and .. all great things come to end.. But for now.. This  annual party will be fun and caring because Its fun to see the kids growing and becoming the adults .. all parents want form their kids.. Its not monetary materialistic objects I want from my kids.. I want to be happy and find peace in their lives as they pursue their hopes and desires. I Know I have lived a very thrilling and productive life and as I transition back into the civilian life.. I know I will have another thrill seeking , fun and joyous time, because that's what life is all about.. Overcoming struggles, learning from them and challenging New problems.. and becoming that true human being. Its a process we all go through.. and right now I'm enjoying it with this very loving family and of course my close friends that make every Christmas not just spending time together but a time to bond and grow and become better people.. Enjoy my loving family and looking forward to our traditional New Years get together.. Yes, The jokes, the stories and my eagerly anticipated pop lock performances , make The paras get together.. fun, exciting and entertaining.. Take care and enjoy the Holiday season!! 
THE SOURCE PRODUCTIONS@ 2012