Where'd You Go

Nowhere - I'm right here! My apologies for not updating so regularly lately, I've had quite a few folks e-mail me or call wondering where I've been. Never fear - as Monty Python would say (insert British accent here)"What! I'm not dead yet!"

It has just been a really busy 6 weeks and about to get a lot busier once Emily has her baby (due date: July 5th. My money is on the 29th of June). Since I last posted I've had a visit with my oncologist (all good - well, insofar as no physical changes evident can be considered all good); celebrated my 52nd birthday (I know! I don't look a day over 51!); taken on additional responsibilites at work (translation: longer hours); welcomed Taryn and Ian home from college; sent Ian BACK to Delaware to take a summer class; celebrated Emily's college graduation (summa cum laude by the way AND she rocked a 4.0 her last semester); attended a neighborhood baby shower for Emily (thanks to MJ for hosting); traveled to Saratoga for the wedding of the beautiful and amazing Erin Tabolt to the awesome Vince Martyn (and had my dancing shoes on all night); planned (along with her wonderful roommates Selma, Jonia, Tiji, Sumi and Cat) and held Emily's NYC baby shower; and - sadly, sadly - buried my stepfather Ken, who finally succumbed to the liver cancer he had been battling since last July.

So soon after the death of my sister, it was difficult to go through another wake and funeral. Ken had been part of my life for almost 30 years. He was the only "father" I had ever really known. And oh, how he loved my mother! I remember the two of them dancing to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" in that local neighborhood bar around the corner from the first house they lived in in San Remo. I'd stop by their home if I didn't have work or classes (I was going to Stony Brook at the time), we'd take a walk to the pub (if it can even be called that - it was a kind of converted house on a residential block and definitely questionably legal), order a few cocktails, the jukebox would start playing and they'd be off and dancing. In later years, the two of them would go canoeing down (up?) the Nissequogue River with my sister, or traveling to one of the many places my mother had yearned to visit (Ireland was a favorite). After she died, we were so grateful that Ken remained connected to our family and thrilled that in the last year or so he found love again with Dee, who uncomplainingly cared for him throughout his illness and dying. I'd like to think that the three of them - Mommy, Ken and Bonnie - are once again enjoying good times together in Heaven (along with Aunt Pat and Uncle Joey - they're not ones to miss a party!).

One by one, they go away, some as expected, some unexpectedly. Taryn sadly pointed out how empty our Thanksgiving table will be this year, and I know she is scared that someday I will be the one to go away. But not today dear family and dear friends. Not today. Today I am right here.

Blessings and Love to All.