Memories from Marian Smith

 Dear Joe:
It was barely daybreak on a cold, snowy morning in upstate New York as we set out for Washington, DC.   There was no doubt that we were meant to be doing this.  My cousin, Barbara, had introduced you to our family a while back.  Now my daughter, Barbara, and I were on our way to your wedding!  I don’t remember a lot about the ceremony itself, except for meeting Judy, Alan, and many other wonderful people.  It was what happened after the party that turned a delightful, warm-in-spite-of-the-wintry-weather family occasion into a memorable event that is seared into my memory.  Much to your consternation, the key to your apartment at the Cairo, the assigned accommodation for out us of-town relatives, didn’t work!  In spite of all your efforts the lock wouldn’t budge, and eventually you and Barbara took us home to her house in Silver Spring.  Being houseguests on your wedding night was a unique way to launch our new relationship as cousins!  

Since then you have become an integral part of the clan.  Spending time together in DC, Endwell, or Boston has always been a highlight.  When my children were small you expanded all our horizons as you taught them about the world outside our sphere.  The quest for DNA, check!  The works of Orhan Pamuk, check!  Middle Eastern carpets from the McMullen Collection at a DC museum, check!  (This last was made even more special when I realized that this was the same Joe McMullen who, the summer I was 16 and attending a Clan MacMillan gathering in Scotland, spearheaded the expedition to get me a kilt!)  
Your definition of civilization as living where you can receive home delivery of the Washington Post has become part of Smith family lore; my children were awed by your tenacity when a photographer at one of their weddings attempted to separate you from your newspaper.   My life has been enriched by Bonnie, Jon, Nina and Milo, and by Mark and Ellen.  I treasure having been your guest during President Obama’s inauguration week, including Mark’s presentation at the Museum of African American History and Culture and joining the crowds on the Mall with Mark and Ellen.  What a privilege it was to participate in that historic day!

My only regret is that we have not seen enough of each other.  All my life, an in-person visit with Barbara has been special.  Then she met you.  You, Joe, are frosting on the cake!

Happy Birthday!  

Love from us all,

Marian
Barbara & Adam, Ian, Adelaide and Lillian
Audrey & James, Eloise and Atticus
Nancy & Ryan, Vivian and Liam