Wifey's Perspective

 My friends call me "Obit Dave" on account of that I always read the obits and enjoy the dark humor of reporting deaths to our group. A game has developed wherein other members of our Canes chat love to scoop me -- happens occasionally. I really like reporting deaths of guys around our age -- reminding all of us that more years are behind than in front of us.

Well yesterday, my friend and broker Pat texted. Our mutual dermatologist, who we both really like, had died. Alysa was 55 -- apparently a very aggressive lung cancer took the non smoker. She did 3 Mohs surgeries on me -- she was beautiful and talented -- the only white Jewish Bahamian woman I ever met.

Really. Her parents were living and working in Nassau and she was born and raised there. When we first met, and I asked where she was from, she said "Nassau," and I said "Me too!" We laughed at the different Nassaus...

She married late and had her only daughter at 43. Her husband, per Wifey the detective, was 20 years older -- a finance/real estate guy. They were VERY successful -- lived in a Gables mansion. I let Mike know -- it was a gut punch to both of us. Mike said he asked her about all the James Bond swag in her office -- turns out she treated Sean Connery for years.

The day perked up. We drove to D2's and spent time with her and Betsy, and then fetched the hilarious and adorable grands. The older one is scary smart -- D2 told him Dad Joke puns, and he got them right away. D1 met us, and we spent a lovely time -- she and Wifey drove to Pura Vida for dinner, and I took the boys home.

Then Mike called. "You thought we had enough sadness today? Not even close." His senior partner Alan's son Jesse had died -- young man was 44. He was a lawyer -- I met him a few times. He married in 2016 and his wife died of cancer at 35. Jesse married again a few years ago. I don't speculate on his cause of death, but it appears to be unnatural...

I can't imagine what Alan and Amy, his retired judge wife, are going through. They were in Europe and flew home. The funeral is Sunday -- I will attend. I never go to funerals because I'm "expected to" like many do -- but I want to pay my respects.

Alan had many leadership roles all over -- a kingmaker of judges, the art world, politics, Jewish causes. Like me, he was a blue collar Long Island Jew. We once spoke for awhile and he told me he barely graduated high school -- he was a BOCES kid, which was designed for vocational types. But he got it done, and big -- he and his partner Abbey went to law school with Paul -- and Alan and Abbey built quite a firm.

In 1990 or so, we referred Mike to them -- he's been there ever since and has likewise enjoyed a stellar career.

Jesse should have had more years in front of than behind him. This is awful. It truly is.

Last night, Wifey saw how down I was. She had met Alan and Amy, but wasn't as connected as I was. She reminded me of the joy of our grands, and Ds -- and really -- as the songs say -- that's life.

Tonight I plan to Zoom cocktail with Barry. Tomorrow there's an early Canes game. I gave my tix to Mr. Kenn -- the affable security guard at Baby Man's temple preschool. He is WAY excited. I will sit with Barry and Josh.

I had tentative plans to see the new Ali G movie with my trainer Jonathan on Sunday. Instead -- the cemetery west of MIA. I ask the Big Man to bring peace to Jesse and Alysa's families.  I know that will be a long time coming, if at all.