Pride and Losing It

 So a few months ago, a neighbor asked me to perform a wedding ceremony. She's a sweet girl who I know a bit -- she's Jewish and marrying a Christian and they thought I was funny during our walks. I was. I agreed, knowing that Wifey would be out of town on a cruise with a friend.

Alas -- mental decline. In fact, the wedding coincided with a cruise I shall be on -- with dear friends. Wifey's going in February. Yesterday I ran into the Mom and told her the news. Does she tend to the dramatic? That's an understatement. I was sorry, but there IS 3 months to find a replacement. The Mom texted me to tell me to NOT alert her daughter until they have the chance to "break the news to her this weekend." OMG -- it's not like they're losing Springsteen as an officiant -- I'm just a happy, clearly declining older neighbor who barely knows the couple.

Still, I feel badly. Wifey doesn't -- she's not a fan of the wife, and says the real reason she is so upset is that I was going to do the job for free and now they have to pay someone. Maybe she's right -- but Wifey and I had a WORSE disappointment when we married nearly 39 years ago.

We had become friendly with the UM Hillel Rabbi who I'll call Mark Kram, since that's his name, and he sort of got us into the religion -- premarital consults with him and his wife Mindy. Yes -- Mark and Mindy. Less than a week before, he called to tell me he was bowing out -- a free Israel trip due to someone in Federation who took ill was too nice to pass up -- even though he had been there many times. As D2 loves it when I tell the story, I said "But I thought we was partners!"

Anyhow, Eric's Mom Norma found us a relief Rabbi, Norman Lipson, who we didn't know but did a serviceable job. Years later I met a young doctor in my gym with the same last name -- yep -- his daughter. I reconnected with Norman, now retired, and thanked him again -- telling him a ceremony he performed as a relief guy started a family with now 2 daughters and 2 grandsons and hopefully more on the way. He was warmed by that.

So this shall pass, and I chalk it up to another "Shady Pines" moment -- after the sitcom Barry likes about declining guys.

But in the positive department -- it was a lovely, D centered week. On Monday I met D2 at Sadelle's in the Grove so she could return Bo, the special needs Spaniel. She was watching him for part of our trip to Maine, and he cries at night when alone, and when she brings him to her bedroom, he snores so loudly it wakes Jonathan. And my son in law is a hard workin' man, so we met and I took him home. Lunch was delicious, even though days before Kenny and Joelle and I made fun of the comically high prices. They are, but you can split everything, so as I like to joke (so often that it's well worn), you don't need a second mortgage to afford lunch there.

Wednesday I got Wifey out of the house at the crack of 2 pm, and we went to D1's to spend time with Baby Man, who was home from pre school on account of Simchas Torah -- one of the many Jewish Fall holidays that make Jewish schools essentially extended vacations each September to October. He is delightful. D2 and Betsy, the enormous puppy (now tipping the scales at 100) joined us, and in a few hours ebullient Little Man came from school (public -- no Jewish holidays).

Wifey helped him with his homework, and I studied him closely. Scary smart, and quick, like his Mom was at that age, and hilarious. He was permitted one chocolate cookie from the box D2 brought over. D2 watched as he took one, looked around, and sneaked another half. Yep -- he's my grandson all right -- maybe headed for law school, if they even still have lawyers when he comes of age...

It was a truly golden afternoon, and after we left, D2 reported that Little Man asked her to stay so he could "get very handsome" after his bath and read a story with her, which he did, and then said "see ya" as he hurried off to bed.

Canes play tonight, but I gave Alex's boy my tickets and parking pass -- Paul's crew is going in force, and I don't mind missing Friday afternoon traffic for the unusual night game. Plus, tomorrow I'm headed to Naples with Joey and Little Man and Baby Man to see my first soccer game -- FC Naples -- which Joey's brother Bob owns. I'm a tiny minority owner and apparently the team is doing well, and they're talking about starting relegation with bigger leagues.

I know zero about soccer, but my buddy Joel does -- and he says this relegation thing will cause my "for the hell of it" small investment to balloon.  I find soccer as exciting as watching paint dry, but a weekend with my grandsons? I'd watch paint dry with them.

I'm missing my dear friend Allison's 65th birthday party -- hosted by her FATHER! Cy is still kicking -- I can't imagine being so blessed as to host a Medicare age child's birthday party -- but he is. Wifey is going solo, but doesn't want the Aventura drive alone, and so will stay over with D1. Hell -- boys will be away anyway -- makes sense.

So I'm leaving soon on my am perambulation -- and slightly dread crossing paths with the disappointed mother, but what are ya gonna do?

Life is about enjoying -- as long as you can remember what it is you're enjoying.