A Happier Anniversary

 Ten years ago, we buried my father in law -- of course, very sad. But 6 years ago, we married off D2, in a weekend celebration that was truly magical.

D2 and Jonathan chose the Betsy, on South Beach, which was where Wifey and I spent our 10th year anniversary, and where, by the sea in front of said hotel, I asked Wifey to marry me in 1986. Since then, the property got a major upgrade, and the rehearsal party was one SERIOUSLY alcohol fueled get together, in a room that apparently, at one time, housed Meyer Lansky's boiler room operations.

Our guests drank doubles and triples, and what was budgeted as a $5K event turned into one for $15K. Luckily, D2 negotiated a major discount, with promises that her husband's private equity company would consider the venue for future events. She did some FINE lawyering.

The main event took place on the roof -- Atlantic to the East, Downtown Miami with the sun setting to the West. The light seemed artificial -- like a Hollywood lighting director contrived it, but it was natural. I like to think the Big Man smiled down on the union of two Holocaust Survivor grandkids...

Wifey and I told D2 and Jonathan to go have a nice dinner on us -- I think they may wait until the weekend on account of a LOT of dinners out lately. But the memory of 6 years ago still brings smiles. Based on my study, 99.7 % of the guests had a terrific time...

Meanwhile, last Friday I was faced with a choice: to grind, or not to grind. In our law practice, Paul ALWAYS ground the people, and I was the sweet one -- the "good cop" in the age old scheme that, amazingly, still works. But over time, I became more like him, and he more like me, and so I chose a grind -- over an incompetent employee of FIU.

In 2010 we started a scholarship there, to help Dietetics MS kids get over the internship hump. Over time, the fund grew, with annual contributions and a healthy, tax free stock market growth, and all was well. In 2024, the woman I worked with, Smilka, left to take over at St. Thomas -- replaced by a, well, an idiot.

The first thing the new person did was ask if we might split up our gift to the FIU Art Museum -- she was friends with the Director. Nope, I told her -- not art patrons. And FIU did a VERY nice thing all the years of our gifts -- they gave us free tickets to the South Beach Wine and Food Festival -- biggest in the US. We'd take the Ds, or friends, and always had a great time -- a few years in a row we went to TrishaYearwood's barbecue event and she played a few songs -- the more famous husband with the cowboy hat was hidden away.

Another year I was to share a table with the legendary Sam Cooke -- an FIU Music consultant. I was WAY excited, but he was home with an injury and instead we met only his nasty wifey -- a Jewish lady -- and her daughter and son in law. The son in law was the lead singer from "In Living Color," and the fellow acted like HE was Sam Cooke. Still -- great afternoon.

Anyway, when Doreann called, I asked about the upcoming Festival tix -- she said she'd get back to me, and never did -- even with more emails and calls. So we just sort of forgot the program, and never heard from them -- until last December, when I got a report from the Giving Office showing me how the Fund had grown.

I emailed them, and asked if Doreann was still even employed, and a month later, she called me, all happy. "It's been a minute!" she said. No, I corrected her, it's been years -- I wondered if I offended someone. She realized she had ignored me, and tried to blame the fact that she did more corporate than individual donor work.

So I subtly ground her, like Paul would have, and told her we just gave more to other charities -- Rabbi Yossi NEVER forgets to call. Also, we gave gifts in memory of Dr. Barry's Mom -- including to the Jackson Foundation, even though that money was probably stolen by a criminal director who just pled guilty. Ah, charity...

Anyway, we did our part at FIU. And certainly, UM -- my decades of giving there led to NOT getting tix for the Natty game -- which was actually fine -- we had a great time watching on TV without the hassle.

So my curmudgeonliness continues. But man -- 6 years ago -- still in my 50s -- that was one HELL of a great weekend...