Camelot

(Dedicated to Our Late Uncle Jimmy who passed away June 26, 2010.)

(Introduction)

There are moments is people's lives that seem to be captured in time. Events and places that are filled with memories that seem to last forever. And no matter how much time passes by. And no matter how the years fly by, They stay with us like a long lost friend to help us get through this crazy life. Our Uncle Jimmy is a great man. He and his terrific wife Aunt Cathy have led a wonderful life together for over 43 years. The two of them are and have been an example of the word class. Whenever our family would come to visit them  in  Wayne N.J. and make the trip from the Jersey Shore it would always be a joyous and happy occasion. We as a family have been blessed by God to have them as one of our Uncles and Aunts. Sometimes when life leads my memory back in time to the year 1973 they are both there greeting us all at their front door with their gentle smiles. I can still feel the warmth of visiting them in Pompton Lakes as we swam so care free in their swimming pool in the backyard. Our entire Petrecca family had such great times of joy both there and at their home in Wayne. I remember Grandpa Petrecca laughing and drinking his beer as together we watched Secretariat win the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths. While Grandma filled the room with her great sense of humor as we watched then entertainer Tom Jones strut his stuff on stage on television. And the rest of the family just laughing and having fun together. Those moments are precious to me. We as a family smiled as one. They were so important in understanding what the word family truly means. They were times of innocence. Times of heritage. Times it seems now that are hard to recapture. When you are young you learn from those who are older that surround your life. I am 46 years old now. Sometimes, when I am alone in my thoughts I think of these times. And I smile. Not just with my lips but in my heart. I know you cannot go back in time and find these moments that are filled with innocence in the physical sense. But if I look really, really hard I can see these memories crystal clear in my memory and mind. If I could go back and be a ten year old boy and know what I know today for just one day. One of the things I would do is thank Uncle Jim and Aunt Cathy for all their love and heritage they brought to all our lives. I would also say it is an honor just to know them. And that I am so grateful the Lord Jesus would make them and Aunt Pattie and Uncle Woodsie and Uncle Danny our relatives. And that I am so humbled just to know them and have a special place in their lives. Then I would give them all a hug and kiss on the cheek and go and play on the swing set with my cousins and then take a dip in the pool. Thanks Uncle Jim and Aunt Cathy for making the 1970's a magical place to be a part of for a young boy and his brothers and sister. I will carry that feeling of family unity and love with me always. Wherever I may go in this life. God's Bless You Both , Your Nephew ,  Al Petrecca Jr.

    King Arthur had Guinevere. JFK had Jackie "O". Romeo had Juliet. And Jim Petrecca had his wife Cathy. Yes, great love stories all from different times through the history of our world. Now, I don't use the word great to often. Why? you may ask. Well greatness only comes from being the best at something. It represents what few others have achieved in their lives. It calls for a respect that few deserve. And it should be handled with true honor when spoke about. I want to share with you something today my friends. Something, that is in the deepest caverns of my aging heart. And that is that this chapter is one of the most important pieces of work that I will ever compose. To be truthful, I would love it to last forever in time. So that my Uncle Jim and Aunt Cathy's grandchildren will read it one day and know a little more about their grandparents great love story. Time can take away our health. Time, if allowed can fade our beauty. And time, well if not reported correctly in the notes of history can keep others from the truth. The truth of where one's heritage truly came from if not handled with care. Great love stories, well they need time. They need heritage. They need memories and decades of moments shared together. But most importantly great love stories, need true love. Our Uncle Jim and Aunt Cathy represented to our family what true love is about for nearly 43 years of marriage. The two of them together lived in a world that we as a family were so blessed by God to be a small part of. When I was a young boy of 10 I had the privilege of spending a great amount of time with them both. As I mentioned before in the introduction for this chapter that they were times of learning, times of innocence. And they were times, may I add that will not ever be forgotten. I remember our Uncle Jim as a strong man. Both in the physical and mental sense. He was a man of honor and truth. He taught me that being a man was to always tell the truth and to care for the others around you before yourself. He taught me that being selfish was not the way to grow up and become. And that looking out for one another was always the right way to go. Our Uncle Commanded respect. And had a presence that you better do so. Especially when you were in front of him. When we drove by their house in Wayne, New Jersey for his last time during the funeral procession.  You could almost recognize the shingles and the window - sills on the home bow down a little more than I remember as a kid. Sure, they were older in the physical sense since the 1980's. But, could it have been that they were a little saddened by the recent loss of their fallen king.? Or maybe, just maybe they were paying their final respects to the man who had been their master for over three decades. Whatever the case, they knew that he was gone in the physical sense. And that this was the last time they would ever be able to catch a glimpse of him here on earth. As did all of us in his family had realized as we slowly drove by his seemingly grieving castle on our way to the church for the final memorial services. Some people have that special charismatic quality. Some are handsome or beautiful on the outside. And yet have the ability to be kind on the inside. My Uncle had an appreciation of who he was and how far he came from his childhood. He understood that he was blessed with a great career, a beautiful and loving wife. And three wonderful children. No one had to remind of him that. Why? you may ask. Because he understood who he was. His best friend at the funeral summed it up better than anyone could. "He said, Jim Petrecca was one of the best State Troopers. The best Father. The best son, The best brother. The best grandfather. And the best husband. Jim was the best at everything. He was the greatest. I will miss him"  Now, that might of been one of the shortest and most heart felt eulogies that I ever heard in my life. But my friends, it was the truth. You know, the more I get older the less I understand the mysteries of life. For example, I ask.  Why does it seem so hard for my generation to find true love.? Why do we live in such a loveless age where castles seem only to stand for a short while now. Instead of growing together with solid foundations and walls to hang memories upon them through the years. Instead we live in a world where broken homes and marriages are a normality instead of an exception. It seems that for most of us now that Camelot is only a fairy tale place only to read about in books. And to dream about in our minds and hearts. But that was not the case for Jim and Cathy Petrecca. My Aunt is a Princess. She always was and will always be one to me. I am a better person for knowing her. My Uncle Jim knew that God smiled down on him and gave him her to share his life with. I believe that without her, Uncle Jim couldn't be the man that he wanted to be. But then again I believe that beside every great man there is a great woman right there bringing out the best in her Prince or King. I cannot write all the words today that describe our Aunt Cathy in this chapter. The pages would overflow with compliments and truths. But here are a few my friends to describe her if i would be so bold to do so. Loyal, faithful, classy, committed, understanding, a great example for every woman to be as a mother. My Aunt Cathy built her husband and children up. She gave them wings to fly and made them accomplish things they thought they couldn't do in life. She brings the best out in people. She brought the best out of her husband, Jim Petrecca. And to put it plainly he loved her and she loved him. And they had the awareness that every day together was one that God made especially for them. What a world to live in. What a place to come home to everyday. What a life to try and understand and follow. High standards one may say. Especially in these days and times. But, oh so beautiful for myself to have witnessed as a child growing up in New Jersey. They were the two that I wanted to be like when it came to love. Maybe, because they weren't afraid to let others know of their adoration for one another. Maybe, it was because they didn't need to say a word for us to know that it was real what they shared between one another. I know their example has stayed with me over the years and has helped me become a better man as I have matured. And have come to a better awareness of what I would like to achieve when I finally grow up in this life. Yes my friends, I still believe in Camelot. A Camelot for myself and family. A Camelot for the lonely, and a Camelot for a hurting and troubled world. Thank you Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jim for living your Camelot. I am so thankful to the Lord that out of all the nephews in this great big world. That God made me one of yours. You both gave us all hope that true love can still exists. And most of all remain. And that it is something that is still beautiful and attainable. Aunt, I know your Prince has gone away. And I know he would of have loved to live a thousand years with you if the good Lord would of allowed him to here on earth. But you will see him again one day. And I am positive that he will be there with a smile. Awaiting his Princess and true loves arrival. Until then may the winds of Wayne, N.J. be gentle and kind upon your face and beautiful heart. And may God grant you a moments Grace today and forever more to carry on.    

God Bless Aunt Cathy,

With love, your nephew

Al Petrecca Jr.

CHAPTER 33