From Death to Life to Joy

 So I cruised over to St. Phillips Episcopal right before the 11 am funeral Mass for my friend Dave, and as he was VERY gringo, being on time meant being late -- the church was PACKED, and the overflow rec room was filled, too. I found a spot next to a Judge who Paul and I hosted a major fundraiser for years ago -- raised her a TON of money -- as a favor to Joel, who knew her AUSA husband from the criminal world. I said hello, and she introduced herself -- had ZERO idea who I was.

Now, I didn't expect her to recall me for my dashing good looks and charm, but seems to me if someone hosted a party that raised nearly $20K for my campaign, I might recall them. Politicians -- what have you done for me lately? The encounter put me in a sad mood for the funeral...

I'm guessing there were 600 people there, all of whom were invited to the house afterwards. I had told Paul I would go with him, and luckily he felt like skipping out. I was relieved -- event would have been a cluster, and so after the Mass and a few speeches, we left.

One of the widow's dear friends and partners spoke, and she had a fling with an old friend of mine probably 20 years ago, and he shared with us Junior High level details. I'd like to say I was able to think of anything else as she spoke about eternal love, etc..., but I could not. Norman understands...

Anyway, afterwards it was up to Williams Island, and a BANNER dinner for Paul. The food was delicious, my Ds and Jonathan were able to make it, and as I told them, somberly, I felt I needed to call Aventura Police and have myself arrested for the crime of excessive happiness.

Paul loved the party -- the drinks and delicious food flowed freely, including 3 tomahawk steaks which disappeared, and Wifey drove home. Paul asked for no gifts, but rather for donations to an inner city elementary school where he started a reading program. The shekels flowed to that, too, which was beautiful and emblematic of who my brother is. A Black child at heart...

Yesterday D1 brought over the monkeys, and they got to awaken their grandma Wifey at the crack of 1030 -- they loved it, seeing if indeed she was a "Scary monster" when awakened. She was not.

After a few hours, we decamped to a museum in the Design District where D1's friend had free tickets for us for a family day. It was lovely -- projects for the kids, and an exotic animal show where Little Man knew all of the answers about the reptiles. He turned to me, and said "Grandpa Dave -- I learned SO much today." Yeah -- kid already got my number.

We separated and Wifey asked for a stop at Shorty's. It took a record long time for our order -- major short staffing -- and the chicken was dry and tasteless. Alas, it may have been our final visit to a place We've both visited since the 70s...They're knocking it down in a few years to make way for another 50 something storey building -- we don't have enough of those in Miami Dade -- and I wonder whether Shorty's will close well before the demolition.

All I know is, the weekend went from the sadness of a death of a true legal legend who I knew as a teenager, a great celebration of 3/4 century of a VERY full life, and finally our private joy of our grandsons.

I am indeed one blessed and rocking Granddaddy in the USA...