Be like Tigger

Within the last 7 days I have driven to two family gatherings. The first was the new traditional last blast of summer at my cousins Lee and Jon's home. The second was a funeral in Brooklyn. Over a thousand miles in MammaKia and loads of time to think while traveling to and back from the smiles and tears. However, it was mostly smiles!

Parties and I have always gotten along. I love a good time, am not afraid to jump into the fray and introduce myself, will dance with whomever is out on the floor (and sometimes when no one is out on the floor) and don't really worry too much about people laughing with me. Sometimes they laugh at me and that is OK, too. Sharing a meal or toasting someone with a hearty Salute! is part of the joy of living. Sharing a meal and toasting in memory of someone will also help to say goodbye.

Here is a short list of the shining moments of the last week.
Labor Day Party:
My cousin Max is in 7th grade, we now say hello and goodbye to each other with a single word and a laugh...the word that makes every middle school boy giggle. Moist.
The breadman delivered again...numerous loaves of freshly baked seed covered Italian bread! Sweet Camille sitting and enjoying the band SpiTune at night( The girl makes one heck of a Tabouleh, too! Not bad for a 3rd grader). My uncle talking about his twin grandsons, the "tiny terrorists". Lee's basketful of eyeglasses. Jon's breakfast pitcher of beer. Lois and Kris trying to put a name to whatever it is they call their romance. Our cousins picture, missing lots of cousins.

Saying goodbye in Brooklyn:
Driving into the city and trying to avoid traffic making us so early the only one at the funeral home ahead of us was the undertaker. The nice undertaker making a copy of a picture of my dad and his siblings that he had never seen before (all very young). Seeing the faces of people I havent seen in years and knowing we would pick up right where we left off. My heart skipping a beat as my dad gasped and cried just before we left his sister for the last time. The great words of the priest who likened leaving this world for the next with hope as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly in the hope a different more beautiful life. Watching the sun reflect off of the skyscrapers in the Manhattan skyline from the driveway of Calvary Cemetery. Sharing an amazing lunch with my Father's family, memories and catching up. Holding my Aunt Frances' brand new great-granddaughter...someone leaves us but another joins us. I think this is called the circle of life.

So, in a very cliche way I will tell you that my heart is full. I will cherish these last days of summer; the fun and the pain, the laughter and the tears, the hugs and the teasing. My memory bank is growing and this past week was a huge deposit.

Here is my toast to us all...Be like Tigger, rejoice in life and have fun. Reconnect whenever you can, share the hugs and the jokes. Appreciate the moments of your life. Look again at and love those that share your genes; it is a connection no one should sever. Be there for each other. Be willing to laugh and to cry together. Have faith in the fact that one day we will get out of this cocoon and take flight. Hope that the view you have for eternity is half as good as the one my aunt has! Put a little Anisette into your coffee. Salute!