Well, this is the wacky bunch of people I grew up with.
They're a happy bunch -- a bit looney at times -- but fun for sure.

Teri is the self-proclaimed "White Sheep" of the family. If anyone has lived the classical American dream, it's Teri. Raised in a good home, parents still together and happily married. Went to college for four years and got a degree and a good job. Fell in love, married a doctor, had a family, bought a house, drives a minivan, a true PTA-soccer mom active in her church. She's an all-around good person (no sarcasm intended). She's got the best kids in the world. Definitely a smart move having her provide the grandchildren for the family.

John -- well, he's the untamed wandering spirit of the bunch. No traditional paths for John. Just follow where your mind and spirit takes you. Learn alot on the journey and share it with friends. So far that journey has landed him in culinary school, nearly two decades of summers slaving away over fish in a hot kitchen, surfing from coast to coast, several years studying guitar, kung fu fighting his way to a third degree black belt in Shao Lin, jumping out of a perfectly fine airplane and launching himself off a bungee platform and dragging his sister with him, and now ... marriage!?!

Then there's me. If you were to put Teri and John on either end of a socio-psychological personality scale, I'd fall somewhere in between, leaning a bit more in one direction or another at any given time in my life.   These days, I'm probably dead in the middle, having acheived the best of both worlds (whatever that means). Really though, these days, to understand me, just understand my dog and what he means to me.

Dad. Having Dad in your life is like having it be Christmas 365 days a year, as he is the true Santa Claus character in our lives. Happy, Jolly. Fat. He even gives us our own unexpected "Happiness Days". Dad has not only played that role for the three of us, but for the countless friends of ours who he treated as his own. Don't worry -- we share. There's more than enough of him to go around. He's also known as "The Bull". Just ask any doctor from NJ to Philadelphia. No matter what health ailment he gets wolloped with, he never ceases to amaze us all by fighting his way back. There was a point when I was in high school -- maybe 1986 or 87 -- when I didn't think he'd make it to see me graduate high school. Well, he's now seen me graduate three times. He's become a grandfather three times over. He's seen one of his children married and will see the second marry in September. Hey, if he decides to stick around to see all three married, that will make him eternal (seeing as how after my last venture in that direction has at least temporarily made me swear off the idea indefinitely). One of the great things Dad has given us are the many "Tomisms" over the years. What is a "Tomism"? The answer coming soon...

Then finally there's Mom. This odd thing happened some time in high school. I believe we first noticed it just after U2 released the Joshua Tree in 1987. Mom started getting younger. She's been digressing ever since. Well, let's not say digressing -- more like regaining her youth! I always knew I had a cool mom, but about this time, she started getting even cooler. Maybe it was the combination of turning her on to good music -- U2, Live, the Waterboys, REM, Sting -- and the relief of having all us kids finally out of the house (at least most of the time). She started going to concerts with us. And she didn't just go to the concerts -- she got into it. May 11, 1987 at the Meadowlands was her first U2 concert, together with me, John, Rachel and some other friends. Since then I think we've been to at least 15 U2 shows together alone, not to count endless other shows. I'll never forget the time we saw Live at the Stone Pony and a mosh pit broke out right around her! She's always the first to rush the stage at a Dylan show, or Neil Young. I guess it's a fair twist of fate -- I like "her" music, she likes "mine". Besides teh whole music thing, its the sports. There is no other sports junkie like my mom. Just ask Dad. He goes the entire football and basketball season without having control of the remote. So much for your shows Dad, the games are on! Then it's right into Little League, which for Mom runs March through August. During this time, Mom sinks right down to that 9 year old boy mentality. No wonder they all love her.

More family stories, anecdotes and bizzaro Halley family tidbits coming soon.

© Comet Consulting / Colleen F. Halley
Last Updated: May 26, 2003
Contact: cfhalley@madriver.com