What follows is the post I was unable to put up on 5/24/12 due to technical difficulties. While I was not able to fix them I have worked around them. It seems a fitting post for today…
The past was very much with me today. Fleet Week started and to kick it off we had a parade of Tall Ships up the Hudson. When I was a boy reading the Horatio Hornblower series I used to imagine myself on one of these boats. (now, the idea…not so much) They went up to The GW Bridge and then back down to the Intrepid Museum. I was lucky enough to be able to break away and get to the river so I could shoot them.
Then, I came back home to prepare for sadder event, the memorial service for a good friend, the Mom of one of our best friends. It was a very special event. So many people came that they had to move us to the larger room in the Chapel. The mom was a Middle School teacher (she taught for 60+! years) and after the family spoke (the granddaughter was especially funny and touching) the Rabbi asked if any one else wanted to say a few words. At least 6 of her (recent) former students came up to talk about how much Mrs. C had meant to them and they all had deeply individual and personal stories. It was very moving.
Then back home to change. The family was Sitting Shiva and I wanted to drop by for a few minutes before getting my allergy shots. Again, many more people than they had expected. She lived a good and long life and worked up until about 6 months ago. Truly a life to emulate.
For a different kind of remembrance, please go to Andra Watkins, Accidental Cootchie Mama, Lady Liberty Fans The Flame Of Memory.
