Friday And Saturday: The Traveling Memorial

Hey, I can't possibly convey the fun and enjoyment I had--and we had--over the past two days, so I have to make this just a quick pass-through:

Friday: The Byrne family texted Ellen to ask for a suggestion where to meet and she said the the Café Nouveau, a perfect choice. We got there at 7:00 to find my brother, Frank's four, Jim, Maureen, Patrick, and Francine, along with Carolyn, Dana, and Claire, already there. We had a room all to ourselves just the right size for nine, wonderfully decorated, and proceeded to have a ball. There was all kinds of getting reacquainted talk and frank discussion of the four marital and semi-marital split-ups, augmented by good wine and great meals. At the end, to my enormous surprise, the server set before me a large kind of ice cream sundae in a big Margarita glass with a candle atop and everyone sang me happy birthday.    

Hey, wait--what? My birthday's in December, but it was explained with much hilarity that the wait staff saw what they thought was a celebration and just assumed I was the guest of honor and it was my birthday. My nieces and nephew didn't want to embarrass them, so went along with it. After the birthday, I ate half, then offered it around and everybody took it and had a few bites. Same spoon, of course, and it amused me think that some of my friends would have the vapors at the germs being passed around. However, Patrick is a well-respected otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic and Jim the medical director of three hospitals. When I mentioned what my friends would think, Patrick said we have a well-developed defense system and that was enough for me. Jim picked up the tab for all nine of us, shushing any protest. Considering this is a pretty expensive restaurant and we all had entrees, wine, and beer, this must have come close to four hundred bucks, thanks, Jimbo! I stayed over at Ellen's and 11:00 or so on Saturday---read on:

Saturday: Sacco subs at Carolyn's in Santa Barbara. The whole gang was there, along with Steve,  Robyn, and Dex, and we had a fab lunch. I brought a lot of family pics and artifacts, including my father's 1922 yearbook from Villanova. Everybody enjoyed seeing and discussing them:

 After, we went to see Betty at Villa Alamar and she smiled and laughed, seeming to know she's part of this big extended family. 

Here's most of the gang at Villa Alamar:

Standing from left: Jim, Ellen, Carolyn, Patrick, Steve, and Francine; seated: Maureen, me, and Betty. 

Couldn't resist adding this--Carolyn with Betty's pretend baby.

We kissed Betty goodbye, then it was back to Carolyn's, where we had a little ceremony involving Frank's and Marybeth's ashes. Maureen and Carolyn sprinkled some of the combined ashes in the flower garden and I was presented with some, which I'll take to Ventnor when I go to Jersey in September. I plan to put a pinch in three places that are part of Frank's (and my) heritage: 15 South Rosborough, the Ventnor beach, and St. James.  

We said goodbye then, telling each other of our love, and off went the Byrne contingent. They'll be stopping and leaving some of Frank and Marybeth at various other places from their heritage. Ellen and I left soon after and we drove to my place. 

Every once in a while, I understand how lucky I am. These last two days it was so evident, I couldn't miss it.