Death and Life

On Saturday May 31, a friend of more than 20 years died. We saw each other sporadically over the years, but always the same fun, joking friendship. He lived in a different world than I. He always said he appreciated that I never judged him. He'd say there was "a place in heaven" for me. I'd tell him there was a place for him too. He'd ask me to put in a good word for him.
Here's the good word, Rich!
He's at peace now, no drama in heaven, that's for sure. He was a man of soul, heart, love and great humor. That fully SHINES now - no more tarnish of the material world. FREE.
Saturday, June 7 - Funeral - Open casket. Certainly not the man there.
Due to bodily or embalming fluids, there appeared to be a dry tear under his right eye. I heard that when his 2 ex-wives, 2 daughters & son viewed the body, the tear came down & the boy said, "Look, Daddy is crying." Never really knew the wives or the kids. But many of his friends remembered me, some looked like Bart Simpson "grown-up" with square heads and thick necks and all were wider than their athletic past selves.

Sunday, June 8 - Baby Christening in NJ
My niece's 2nd child - James Patrick, 3 mos. old. It's also his Dad's name, but he's no Junior!
Dad is Jim and he's a James.
I purposely slept late and missed the church.
James was in the living room on the couch being held by my mother, his great-granny.
I came in kissed Mom, Sis#1 (the granny) & sat on the table in front of him and I had him in my gaze. Holding his hands, saying in a sing-song voice, "Is this your special day?" " Did the priest put water & oil on your head?" I'm touching his little cheeks and forehead too and he just lights up like Times Square. He responds with a giant smile and little coos and moans. His little old man wrinkled forehead, no hair & giant blue eyes.
Amazing that the eyes remain the same - the only part of you that doesn't grow!
Sweet Baby James, as my mother will say about 20 times an hour, because of Alzheimer's.
A perfect little match to his big sister, Hollie, 22 mos, cherub faced pixie.

Sis #2 drove me home with Mom in the car. Sis#2, "Miss Worrywort of the Century", says, "I hope there's no traffic", more than 10x (shades of Mom?). All signs lead otherwise, but she keeps talking about it. Finally Mom, even in this kind of limbo she's in says - "Why worry? You can't control it. I've always been that way!"
And she has - Thank God, because that saying is why I am a sane and happy person today.
Accepting, having enjoyment in life with enthusiasm for what's to come using the baby steps and conscious participation. Hallelujah!