We were back in Larchmont over the weekend for George Jr's celebration of life. Actually, we stayed in Croton-on-Hudson (where Mary and I had had a mini-honeymoon starting the night of our wedding) at an AirBnb. That was its own clusterfuck which perhaps I'll narrate in the future. For now, lets not bicker and argue about ew killed ew and focus on the positive.
After some back and forth over venues it was decided to do George's celebration in the event hall of St John's, where Mary Lee went to church and took the kids (and me once or twice) the Christmas services through the years. A short walk from the old family home. George and Mary Lee's ashes are in a wall there. I went to many noon AA meetings there and was delighted to do so. In short, it is the family church and it was absolutely the right place to be.
Actually, one last anecdote. At Mary Lee's service one of the clergy (they're all women at present) told a story of being on a church camping trip somewhere back in the 70s when she and George Jr had snuck a little light, age-appropriate hanky panky in a sleeping bag or something. A total highlight of the service. She is now a lesbian.
But back to this past Sunday. It was just right. Everybody was there, though George's longest-serving attendant Sam was late because of traffic so we had to start late. Rob and Beth were pitch-perfect. Kevin's friend Daniel did a magical little acoustic set interspersed throughout, accompanied a little by Paolucci and Winston. At the end we all went over to 2 Circle and admired the old setting and the sound as the sun went down.
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