Greg: We are good family members
and good friends. In return, we have good friends and supportive
family members. We've been very blessed. Raymond: We've
raised two children. We've buried three parents. Now we're
caring for my aunt with Alzheimer's. We're always going to
parties for our siblings and their children and grandchildren,
and if there isn't a party, we make one! When people talk about
family values... Greg: After Raymond's mom died, he invited
my parents to move into our lower flat, where his mother had
lived. It was handicap-accessible and my dad had had a stroke.
During those years, I was living out of town during the week.
I don't know any other in-law who would have done that. Raymond:
Having been caregivers for dependent parents for 14 or 15 years,
it's very clear to us that we don't want to put that kind of
burden on anyone else. Greg: We didn't have to take these
things on. We did it because this is who we are. I promised
Raymond that, with all the caregiving he's done, he should be
able to live where he wants to live. We would love to live somewhere
where we could be legally married.
Together since July 6, 1983
