A Lovely Stay

 So there is a VERY short list: those for whom I provide pick up or drop off at MIA, or any airport. I rarely get asked, but when I do, I remind people that I charge a LOT more than Uber. But I make exceptions for those sharing my DNA, and my nephew has, I believe, 25% of mine -- and so I agreed to fetch him Saturday evening.

There was a stupid Inter Miami game starting near pickup time at the stupid stadium which, in the MOST boneheaded move (and that's saying something in South Florida) was built hard against MIA! Luckily, WAZE directed me in such a way that I only sat in a few blocks of LeJeune Road traffic, and then I only messed up Henry's location a bit -- confusing a sign saying which arrival doors were coming with the actual number. No big whoop -- I found him, and we were off to Carrot Express.

Henry is mostly vegetarian, and I figured a restaurant with the word Carrot would work, and it did -- we brought home some bowls and wraps, and had a nice reunion with his aunt, Wifey.

Sunday we walked, and then later the Ds and their men and dogs descended. I went HARD on the Zhyr, dragging Henry and Jonathan down with me -- I squeeze by hand Mandarin oranges -- giving the juice alone to the grandsons and the juice PLUS vodka and ice to the grown men. We had a terrific time -- laughter, comparing notes of the manifold examples of nuttiness in our families. I drunk FaceTimed Valerie, Henry's wonderful wife home in Boulder Creek, Cal, and told her she MUST join us next time -- she so agreed, and I know loved seeing her man with his cousins and aunt and uncle.

Apparently we ordered Thai later, though my memory of that is fuzzy -- but after the kids left, Wifey, Henry, and I played music together on Sonos as the ETOH processed away. It was a banner family day.

Yesterday, I worked out while Henry worked, and then I fetched him and Wifey, for brunch at Roasters, a trip for Wifey to get a scrip in South Miami, and then off to Matheson Hammock -- for Grandma Sunny's yahrzeit. We showed Henry where we  placed her cremains into the Bay, by the mangroves, and how white butterflies joined us, and how we returned a few weeks later where most of us were able to tell sweet tales of our departed mother and grandmother.

Henry had only warm memories -- how he felt she loved him, her sunny disposition, bagels and juice for breakfast...

We sat on the front porch later, after a dinner of leftovers, and spoke of many things -- ships and shoes and sealing wax -- cabbages and kings.

This am, after coffee Henry and Wifey said goodbye, on account of Wifey was "All talked out" and so I took Henry to Deli Lane, where 30 plus years server Carmen was there. She told us they were moving this Summer, close by, to allow another high rise to go on the land since Miami isn't already too overcrowded. Summon sarcasm emoji.

I dropped Henry at the Thesis Hotel -- his work is at The Biltmore, and he will put in long hours filming a corporate event and showing highlights each evening. I'd love to see him again -- but he will be literally working around the clock -- until a flight back to SFO Friday am.

He is a delight. So cool. So handsome. So wise -- I am proud he is my blood. He can teach a master class in overcoming the challenges of a tough childhood, making essentially ALL great life choices, and ending up a successful business owner, creative, married to his high school sweetheart, and seeing the world together. He surfs. He has dear friends.

He is the trustee for his never had a job father. He will likely end up in the same role for his mentally ill/drug addicted brother. At some point, he will be the caregiver for his mom - my sister.

The joke is he and Val have no TIME for kids -- though they savor their life with only the furry kind of those -- adorable Enso, a cute little dog, and other animals they foster.

Next weekend, another nephew comes in -- not a biological one -- Scott. We will meet for breakfast at Mo's, and then a Marlins game with Little Man Sunday. I just reminded them that F1 is in Miami this weekend -- so avoid Joe Robbie at all costs.

But the over-arching message is: young folks are where it's at. You pick up their enthusiasm; their energy. And when you truly love them -- well -- that's as good as it gets.