A Love Story from My Heart by Kathy Linn

Perry’s Restaurant
1210 Annapolis Road
Odenton, MD 21113
Phone: 410-674-4000
www.perrysrestaurant.com
Holidays and observances during the month of February, believe it or not, are numerous. There are
the widely recognized ones including President’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, Super Bowl Sunday,
American Heart month, Groundhog Day, and, of course, Valentine’s Day. Then there are some of the
unknown ones such as: National Mend a Broken Heart month, Women’s Heart Week (1-7), Love
Makes the World Go Round but Laughter Keeps us from Getting Dizzy Week (8-14), International
Flirting Week (8-14), Celebration of Love Week (10-16), and Love Your Pet Day (20).
Well, we don’t care whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Feb. 2 or not because we’re
going with “Celebration of Love Week.” This issue is dedicated to all those special people (and
pets) that have touched and left an imprint on our hearts.
A Love Story from My Heart by Kathy Linn
"These special words said so long ago, ‘For better or for worse
and in sickness and in health,’ ring through my ears each time
this phrase comes to mind. When my husband, Lou, turned 60
four years ago, he said that he never thought he would live that
long. Not only has he managed to beat the odds and live ‘that
long,’ he has experienced life and death experiences since
turning 60. On December 28, 2009, Lou shocked the doctors in
the ER when he, once again, fought for his life. He is truly an
amazing man with a will to live that bars none. Not only is he the
luckiest man I know, he is the strongest and the happiest man at
this point in his life to be here and surrounded by the most
beautiful family and friends one could ever dream of having. I'm
proudly writing this story ‘from my heart’ as he is absolutely, and
positively, THE love of my life and I consider myself the luckiest woman alive today to have him on
the road to recovery once again.”
“Where there is great love, there are always miracles.”
SHE is the Story of My Heart
by Moe Grimes
“Sometimes there are no words that can describe a
person. I met this very special lady forty-six years
ago and can honestly say that I have loved every
moment of those forty-six years. Some I have
made quite difficult for her but to tell the entire
story in print would certainly be worthy of a novel.
From the first day that I met her until THIS very day there has never been a day that she’s not giving
or doing for others. No matter what the distance, no matter what time of day, or what the weather…if
someone she knows is either ill or just needs a helping hand or an open ear…she will be there.
She has for forty-three years been the crutch that without it, I would not exist today. As the wife of a
young man returning home from Vietnam in 1968, she sat up countless nights worrying if I would
overcome the demands lying ahead of me and doing everything possible to ensure that I would. While
working and raising a son, she helped her own mother (who was divorced) to raise a younger sister
and brother, and at the same time doing whatever she could to help her in laws. Through many nights
she sat and nursed me and assured me I was home and safe, all the while raising two sons and later a
daughter. I was able, with her love, support, and devotion, to overcome so much and enjoy the
beautiful family we have become.
Through so many obstacles including the boiler explosion when I was in the emergency room and she
was hugging me, holding my hand, and assuring me I would be fine, to the car accident where my
truck was just about torn in half…she was always there and strong as ever. The surgeries, seven all
total, she never left my side. Never once did I need anything that she didn’t know in advance what it
was even before I asked.
Throughout my father’s long illness she was his care giver. Every second of the day when she would
get home from work, she spent doing whatever was necessary to try and make him well, then to
ensure he was comfortable. I sure hope she knows how much he adored her. She showed the same
devotion to my mother and always tried to include her in our activities. ‘Come on Alice go to the dance
with us,’ she’d say. From the rides to bingo, the store, no matter what the hour or how many times
she said she needed to go, or how tired she really was, she always said ‘Yes, I can take you.’ When my
Mother became ill, she tended to her needs as well. There has never been a time that she said, ‘I am
just too tired; I don't feel well; Can I rest for a second?’ Her devotion was never limited to family
alone but extended to friends as well.
She would go to her Mother’s, or call her every day, and do whatever it was she needed help with, the
same with her Father. Her brothers and sister, in-laws and friends, have all been lent a helping hand,
received a warm smile, a hug or words of encouragement, from this wonderful lady. All of this while
working for over forty years and raising three successful children AND a husband. Neither time nor
space will allow me to tell each story in detail, but those who know this lady can tell you as well, she is
a Saint.
In 2009 I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery and follow-up radiation treatments. This
special angel of mine was, and remains, my care giver every day. While holding my hand and assuring
me the entire long journey, she still found the time to do for others as well without giving herself a
second thought.
My friends many years ago named her ‘Saint Marie’ and she is truly the most caring and loving person
you could ever meet. I am so grateful to her for making my life, and the lives of so many others, a true
JOY. After raising two sons and a daughter, she now enjoys four beautiful grandchildren and three
beautiful step grandchildren and, finally…retirement! I was so blessed the day I met this beautiful
lady and to have lived my life with her is A GIFT. The love I have for her goes beyond any words I can
write or speak. The gratitude for being the most wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend is
never ending and I love her with all my heart.
My beautiful wife, Marie Grimes… SHE is the STORY FROM MY HEART.”
This one belongs to you, Marie and Moe…“We are each of us angels with only one wing;
and we can only fly by embracing one another.”
Mickie’s Hearty Mail
Finding song titles containing the word “heart” was an idea that
unexpectedly turned into some hopefully entertaining material for this
month’s issue. To make it even more interesting, your editor decided
to jazz it up by dividing these “hearty” songs into three distinctive
categories.
Traditional Mix of “Heart” Songs:
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Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton
Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus
Shape of my Heart by the Backstreet Boys & Sting
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
Young at Heart by Frank Sinatra
Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Dolly Parton
Cold Hard Heart by Bon Jovi
You’ll be in my Heart by Usher
Here is my Heart by Lionel Richie
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
How Can you Mend a Broken Heart by Al Green & the Bee Gees
Hungry Heart by Bruce Springstein
Don’t Go Breaking my Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin
Your Cheatin’ Heart by Patsy Cline
Wooden Heart by Elvis Presley
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Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley
My Heart has a Mind of its Own by Connie Francis
Every Beat of My Heart by Rod Stewart
Heartache Tonight by the Eagles
(Songs selected from Listology web site.)
Hand Dancers’ Familiar “Heart” Songs:
A Place in My Heart ~ Liz Abella
Zing, Went the Strings of My Heart ~ The Attractions
My Heart ~ Stylistics
Two Hearts on a Window Pane ~ The Wanderers
From the Bottom of My Heart ~ The Clovers
My Flaming Heart ~ The Danleers
Every Beat of My Heart ~ Gladys Knight
Heart, I Hear You Beating ~ Wayne Newton
My Heart’s Desire ~ The Avalons
Heart & Soul ~ The Cleftones
(Song Titles & Artists courtesy of DJ Doo Wop Jack.)
Country Western Love (Heart) Songs (artists unknown):
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Guess my Eyes were Bigger than my Heart
Her Teeth were Stained but her Heart was Pure
I Flushed You from the Toilet of my Heart
I gave her my Heart and a Diamond and she Clubbed me with a Spade
You’re Out of Step (with the Beat of my Heart)
You Stuck my Heart in an Old Tin Can and Shot it off a Log
I Want a Beer as Cold as my Ex-Wife’s Heart
(Excerpts courtesy of Al Lowe’s Humor Web Site)
Running on Empty ~~ Mickie’s Electronic Mail Box is currently running
on empty and waiting to receive some new fuel in the form of tidbits,
inspirational/humorous stories, special occasions, etc., to be featured in the
March issue. It couldn’t get any easier than this…just drop me a line at the
following email address, and please add the words “Mickie’s Mail Box” in the
subject line of your email.
Email address: dancewithmickey@aol.com
Hang on to those Receipts! Perry’s management is always searching
for added incentives as their way of saying “Thank You” to the hand
dancers for their continued patronage on Thursday evenings. Beginning
in February, hold on to your weekly dining/beverage receipts and on the
last Thursday of the month, hand three (3) of your monthly receipts to
Mickie. Those receipts will then be stapled together with your name on
it, and will in turn be entered into a drawing to receive a $50 Perry’s Gift
Card. The drawing will occur the first Thursday evening in March.
In addition, if you bring a neighbor, friend, or relative who has never
been to Perry’s before, please introduce them to Jack and Mickie and
you’ll receive a free drink that evening.
WE know we dine, socialize, and hand dance at Perry’s
every Thursday evening but now so does everyone else who
drives down Annapolis Road and sees the billboard outside
of Perry’s Restaurant. General Manager, Kristos Miliotis,
is proud to advertise hand dancing at his establishment and
hopes to see new faces so we can keep hand dancing alive for
yet another generation.
Birthdays ~~ We may be entering into another month of
questionable wintry weather but that doesn’t hamper our
efforts to celebrate our “In Step at Perry’s” regulars’
birthdays. Please join us on Thursday evening, Feb. 11th, as
we recognize Michael Miliotis’ (a.k.a. Mikey), Danny
Batchellor’s, and Marlene Winegardner’s special day
with a piece of cake and all of our well wishes.
In addition, on Feb. 11th, the winning ticket for the “Melt my Heart”
Basket will be drawn and some lucky soul will be taking home this “sweet”
basket full of goodies. Who knows, if YOU are the lucky soul and haven’t
purchased your “sweetie” a Valentine’s gift, here it is all wrapped up! (P.S. All
proceeds from the raffle go towards the Perry’s Cake and Miscellaneous Fund.)
Winning Photo ~~ What better way to wrap up an
issue dedicated to matters of the heart than to feature
the December 2009 winner of the photo contest
sponsored by the Washingtonian Magazine. The
contest theme was “Togetherness” and the
Grimes boy’s photo landed a spot as one of the top
five finalists and ended up winning the contest by a
“landslide” in voting numbers.
Featured are Rocky (age 8) who plays 75 pound
football and A. J. (age 5) who is in the flag football
league. The picture was taken while the boys were
walking towards the parking lot after their final
games of the season (Nov. 7, 2009). Both boys scored
touchdowns that day and according to a family
member…”we would like to imagine that’s what they
were talking about but Lord only knows…I mean,
they are Moe’s and Marie’s grandchildren.”
“Brothers in Arms”
“Love is a lot like dancing;
You just surrender
to the music.”
The winning photo is featured on page 12 in the
February edition of the Washingtonian.
Mickie Moriarty
Visiting DJ, Sherry Powell (shown
left) with her sister, Mary
Danny takes time out from
listening to wife, Bonnie, to smile
for the camera! Wonder if he
heard what she said?
Hey, Roger, it’s too late to
enter the Halloween costume
contest as a Pirate!
You just never know what Joe Dorr is going to wear on his body
OR his head. God bless his lovely wife, Marge!
WACKY PHOTOS!
W
What are the odds that John, Joe, and Bob all go to the same barber???
Chef John, Bartender Jme, and
Mike Miliotis unwind after a busy
Thursday evening. Watch those
hands, Mikey!
Joe thought I was taking a “butt” shot but it was the
back of his tee shirt that was the point of interest!