Some would say it is easy to predict where some of us will end up in life by looking at the environment, examining the gene pool and if there is no calamity it is easy to predict with at least 75 % accuracy what this child or that child will become. I say all you have to do is observe how they act around animals and you can predict with greater accuracy where that child will be when he or she becomes a man or woman.
I knew three guys who all shared the same gene pool and environment and turned out so different from one another that many would swear they were not related. They all worked for the Psychology department at the University they were attending. The oldest guy got the job first. They had to clean the labs that housed the animals that were being used for experiments. There were some small Apes or Monkeys that had all sorts of electrodes attached to them. There were other small animals like hamsters and white rats. They didn't have to inter-act with the animals but they did each on a different level.
The oldest guy couldn't look at the caged simians without wanting to cry. The poor chimps were being mutilated just so the students could become Clinical Psychologists which he thought was grossly unfair. But he couldn't do anything about it. He cleaned and left to get on with his life which really had nothing to do with the University life. He was just going to keep his parents off his back as he pursued his dream of becoming a rock personality. This was more suited to his style, long hair with flashes of red and blond and shaggy jeans and torn tee shirts. He had pets at home but never got too close. Then one day he was told to take this certain white rat outside and break his neck as the Lab. had no more use of him. He took him outside and when that rat looked at him he couldn't bring himself to do it. He didn't want to lose his job and he couldn't set him free because the rat would die in the wild of Queens. So he did what he had to do, he brought him home. His father was adamant that in no way would he have a rat in his home, he had enough of them at the office. But by cajoling, begging and handing his father a sales pitch he got him to approve with the caveat that he couldn't let the rat loose or it would get into the walls and things like that. After a while when the son would come into the room with the rat curled around his cowboy hat the father grew to really like him, he would say that rats are really nice people and if we didn't spread garbage they wouldn't be sick and bite at us. The rat finally died and had a decent burial. The son got married and the dreams of becoming a rock personality never really died but responsibilities kind of smothered those dreams. His household is full of animals including some turtles that get lost occasionally but always re-appear. He still dresses like a hippie. He went from job to job until he settled on one. Eventually he became a very successful sales manager in the construction industry where he could keep his style of dress and have a staff of some two-hundred and fifty guys. Sort of like a pack animal with him being the Alpha dog still selling the notion that he is only thinking of you like when he convinced his father to house that really nice White Rat.
The middle guy came to the Psychology Lab. next and he immediately noticed the hooked up simians. When he would clean up he'd talk to them in a soothing voice letting them know he felt badly for them and that he wanted to make their lives better, if he could. After a while when he would enter they would rush to the front of the cage and turn around so he could groom them, pick the fleas off the fur. After a while they insisted that he give them his arms so they could groom him, even if he didn't have fleas. There was real rapport between him and the chimps. He had no unrealistic dreams about being a sports star or a musician, no he wanted to succeed in Psychology, get married and have a nice life. So with a goal in mind he proceeded towards that purpose. Today he is well respected in the community that deals with compromised children. In effect he is still grooming the simians only they are human. He is happily married, and in effect is still grooming and loving the woman in his life.
The youngest guy entered the Lab. and saw animals that were compromised badly. He had a goal to succeed, win. Winning meant succeeding. Although he was sympathetic to the needs of the animals they might stand in the way of achieving his goal if he let their plight get to him. So he became the aggressor, the one in charge. When he entered the Lab. the chimps would jump up and down and scream. They wouldn't shut up until he rattled their cages. If they could they would have ripped his hide out but they never got the chance. He was in charge. He was the boss. He was the winner. He played sports and tended bar as he worked his way through the Graduate Degrees. Today he is a very successful Professional man but if the truth be known he would still prefer being the bar-tender who was in the Hampton's in the summer and Ski Country in the winter. However this couldn't support his loves which include Golf and of course his wife and children.
So keep the music playing in your lives. Follow your dreams and always be nice to the animals around you!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Dogs and Other Animals In My Life
My brother really was the one who wanted a dog or cat or bird or anything. I really didn't care as long as I didn't have to take care of it. One day he came home with a cat in his arms claiming it followed him home. My mother made him return it to the rightful owner. He brought home turtles that we kept in our backyard. They would disappear for months on end and suddenly appear again never seeming to be in a hurry to go anywhere. Once my brother found a bird with a damaged wing. My mother got a cage and my brother nursed him back to life. Finally the bird was well and had to be let free. The night before the cage would be opened my brother gave the bird a cold shower. The next morning the bird was found at the bottom of the cage, stone cold dead. I guess that is what is called killing with kindness.
For me the experience with animals was when my Uncle brought home a puppy, a mutt, who had golden hair so we called her Goldie. My Mom was from the City, Manhattan, and really knew nothing about animals. She used to let Goldie out by herself and she became known to all the neighbors and garbage men. Little did my Mom know that she became known, in the biblical sense, to all the male dogs and so she became pregnant early on in her life. This changed my Mother's attitude about the handling of Goldie and so it began with me and my brother walking her on a leash. In those days most dog owners in the neighborhood couldn't afford the Vet. for spaying so it was enforced birth control while the bitch was in heat. Goldie gave birth to a litter, I don't know 7 or so, on Christmas Eve. She was the perfect mother allowing people to view her offspring but growling if a non-member of the household got too close. They would gather at her teats and feed lustily. This was good, for awhile but like all mothers when they started to teethe and the teats became sore she pushed them away almost saying that they were getting big enough to fend for themselves. When they were given away she showed appropriate sadness but like most mothers she also showed relief that things were getting back to normal. She finally had to be put to sleep around 10 years old. Back then a call to the ASPCA and the dog catcher's truck came. Looking back this was cruel because even though Goldie was ill she needed someone from the family for the last goodbye. But back then we didn't think that way, even the church used to say Dogs had no souls. Maybe they still say that but we know that isn't true. Don't we?
The next dog that came into my life was an Alaskan Husky that one of my Uncles gave us. Since my brother and I weren't available for morning walks my Mother had to take this dog. One day they came to a corner where my mother wanted to cross the street and go straight ahead, the dog wanted to go left up the block. There was a tug of war and when my Mother became overly aggressive trying to show who was boss the Alaskan Husky bared his teeth and growled. They went left and walked as long as he wanted to. The dog found himself on some farm shortly thereafter or at least that is what Mom told us.
A little while later another Uncle brought home a pup who looked just like our first Goldie and as she grew she was an exact double. By now my Mom had a little savvy and more money so this Goldie got spayed and never knew the bliss of Mother-hood. Mom also let her out in the back yard and my brother and I walked her and cleaned up the yard. The turtles were still appearing and disappearing. This Goldie was a little rougher than the first one. Give her a bone and she'd go in back of the oil burner and growl ferociously at anyone who came into the house. What was hers was DEFINITELY hers. I tried to break her of this habit by hitting her with the top of my baseball bat until my mother made me stop. Didn't break her. We moved from The Hill in 1954 and left Goldie for the new owners, our cousins, who said they wanted her. Goldie was in the house with the painters for a week. My cousins changed their minds and we took Goldie with us to our new Port Washington house. She was in a car turning up our block and she saw us from afar and created quite a fuss so they had to let her out and she ran up to us whimpering and and licking us, she was really happy. We got the idea she was maltreated by the painters and was miserable for a week. She was now happy but nervous and she bit my cousin Angela one day for no apparent reason and then showed appropriate sadness in face and body language. Angela forgave her and life went on. In our new surroundings our cousins lived next door with my Aunt Anna (we called her Aunt Thannna). Everyone got up around 6 AM. Every morning my Mom would let Goldie out in the back and she would walk to my cousin's door and give a short bark and go in where my Aunt and cousin would give her some treats and talk to her. Then around 8 or so when my cousin would go to work she'd let her out back where she would go to our house give a low bark and go in until the evening where the ritual would repeat itself. This Goldie had a special liking for me because when we lived on The Hill and she was young she seemed to have something wrong with her mouth or throat and my Mom sent me to the Vet with her to check it out. Before we got there I stopped and tried to look in her mouth but she growled because she didn't trust me. I talked to her soothingly and asked her to please open her mouth. She did and upon inspecting I saw a piece if bone stuck between her teeth which I gingerly removed. She was out of pain. We didn't have to go to the Vets. and she seemingly never forgot this bond between us. After a decade or so this Goldie fell very ill and the Dog-catcher's truck came and she too left without one of us to comfort her. We just didn't know any better. There were no more dogs for my Mother's house as I finally entered the Army, got married and had a home of my own.
My wife and I had 7 children in the first nine years of our marriage and our house was too small for a dog that my kids were asking for. I promised them a dog if and when we moved to a bigger house. a confluence of occurrences happened in 1974. My neighbor's dog had pups and we moved. The day we moved was the day the next Goldie was brought to our door. We named this dog Goldie even though she was more brown than gold. He mother was a full breed German Shepard but whoever jumped over the fence and became her father must have been a runt because she was the runt of the litter, but as we found out, the best of the litter. Goldie was really my kids dog, when she was a pup she was like our 8th. child. She was very inquisitive. My oldest son had brought home a turtle from Oakland Lake and Goldie was determined to find out what was under the shell. One night when the house was full of people we let Goldie out back and when she came in she had blood all over her mouth. She acted like she did something wrong. We found the turtle. He was still alive and was brought back to the Lake hopefully to recover and live a long life. Goldie never did find out what was under that shell. One day as I was leaving for work I noticed the garage door ajar and the light on. I checked to see what was up and low and behold there was a dog with 3 and 1/2 legs looking at me with an expression that said "OOPS my cover is blown.". I went back in the house screaming and yelling because my oldest son had sneaked this dog into our house. I left with the ultimatum that that dog better be gone when I come home tonight. By the time I got to Flushing I felt like an ogre, called home and said the dog could stay until we find him a home. We placed ads and in three weeks or so we had someone who showed up with her daughter. By this time the little mongrel had wormed his way into my heart. The little girl and the mother wanted him. I pointed out his half back leg and he looked like he travelled with a pack of wild dogs. Nothing that I said mattered , they still wanted him and I had to admit I couldn't let him go, even Goldie looked happy. This began the era of Goldie and Henry (his name). When I referred to them many people thought I had an old Jewish couple staying with me, and believe me sometimes they acted like an old couple. She was the domineering one but at times he'd try to get a little amorous and she'd nip him. She didn't seem to mind when they would lie on the floor close to each other but don't try anything. Someone we knew had to get rid of a Myna bird and we had him for 8 months. This bird would drive Goldie and Henry up a wall by calling their name and they'd come to the cage and stare at the bird. When they would leave she'd say "Why don't you stay awhile.", which would drive them crazy. We didn't have air conditioning then and the August heat killed the bird, who by the way really disliked my oldest son. Goldie and Henry seemed relieved that no-one was calling their names and asking them to stay awhile. Henry was getting older and weaker. He'd go out in the coldest weather and stay in the backyard. One day one son drove him to the Vets. while one son held him in his arms in the back seat. Henry died in his arms fully evacuating all over my son. What a way to go Henry! At least we didn't have to "put you to sleep". Years later Goldie was getting older and very ill. She was about 16 and had been to the Vets around Thanksgiving and it didn't look good. One night she was jumping all over the place like the young Goldie. Very early the next morning we were awakened by high pitched yelps. Goldie couldn't walk. Two sons came with me to the Vets. This time I stayed with her as they injected her. He eyes were pleading with me to help her and I did the only way I knew how. Soon she was gone and our house had no more pets. That is until Benny came.
Benny was found by my youngest son in a warehouse out on Long Island. He was seemingly a nice mild mannered dog. Had a brownish color sort of like the 3rd. Goldie. Unfortunately we found out later he had some mental problems. If it was a real nice sunny day he liked to lie in the sun outside and if you weren't looking he'd jump the fence and wander away. One time we got a call from someone 2 or 3 miles away who found him wandering just enjoying life. The other big problem was he could sense if a storm, big or little, was on the way and this would drive him into a frenzy. We found this out one day when we were away from the house, my son upon returning found a screen ripped, a window out and Benny running all over the place seemingly shouting "The Sky Is Falling!". At night he'd insist on keeping someone awake with him as he awaited instant doom. One night as I was deep asleep a foul odor caused me to open my eyes and I was staring into the mouth of Benny imploring me to get up and await the impending doom. We tried everything but nothing worked. Then one winter's night during a snow storm Benny seemed to have trouble with his eye. We took him to Vet. specialists and the like and he had a tumor. My son accompanied Benny for his farewell since my experience with Goldie was still haunting me.
The last dog I had a close relationship with was a Border Collie mix which we named Jessie, actually Jessica but we called her Jessie. One day my Daughter who was working at Stern's comes home with this big black and white dog who was foaming at the mouth so much I thought of Rabies. Apparently someone had her but couldn't afford to keep her, and a cat I might add, and left them tied up in the parking lot. My Daughter had her checked out by the Vet. and Jessie came to spend some 16 or so years with us. Jessie was my Daughter's dog but she got married and couldn't take her with her and to tell the truth by then I would have been lost without Jessie. Jessie was with me when I got downsized and we used to take long early morning walks. I could tell Jess anything and she'd listen. She was a great listener. Then in the 1990's my Mom suffered a stroke and came to live with us for seven years. My wife suffered a heart attack and began her Alzheimer's journey. My back went out on me so violently that I almost need an operation. When the times seemed the roughest I'd wake early before sunrise and Jessie and I would lay on the floor in the Living Room and I could see out of one window to a tree on the corner and I talk to Jessie. My head would rest on her and she wouldn't move unless she wanted to kiss me then she'd lie down again and let my head rest on her as I told her of my troubles. Jessie liked to chase squirrels. One day she caught one but didn't know what to do with it so she let it go. My Mother had a great Aide that came for years whose name was Sophie. She was African American and extremely heavy but she loved us and we loved her. But Jessie loved her most of all. Whenever she'd come into the house Jessie would stand by her and Yowl with her head pointed up to her, singing to Sophie telling her how happy she was to see her. Jessie back legs were starting to go on her. The Vets. couldn't help her. I took her to a Chiropractor who was a forerunner in Chiropractic treatment of animals. Jessie wasn't too happy with this and it didn't help but at least we tried. Finally Jess had to go to the Vets. She evacuated in my car and it took weeks before I could get the odor out. She was embarrassed by this even though I assured her it was OK. The next day when I went to see her The Vet. told me it would be best to put her out of her misery. With the vision of Goldie 3 in my mind I said I wanted to be present. When Jessie saw me she was happy. I would take her home, for sure. I would rescue her. They carried her onto the table and injected her and the Vet., his nurse and I cried as Jessie slipped into the here-after.
I was blessed to have these animals in my life because they taught me how to love and how to die while enjoying life. The first Goldie made me realize that unless you want the results it is sure to bring don't let the young whose hormones are raging, out on their own without proper supervision, and even then who knows what will happen. But it is no-body's fault if the human condition is like those we call animals. Goldie two taught me never to abandon anyone especially those who are most vulnerable. My experience with Jessie and Goldie three gave me the strength to deal with the crisis I faced with my brother, mom and wife, knowing that sometime the right decisions that have to be made are not always the easy ones. The crazy Myna bird showed how a sense of humor is always great to have. All together, the dogs, birds and the turtles showed me that life is precious and in sharing the experience we all benefit. I would venture to guess the biggest lesson I have derived is if you are going to accept the responsibility to care then it can't be done half-way. My loving pets let me be me with no facade always ready to love because they trusted me, and I let them be who they were because I trusted them.
For me the experience with animals was when my Uncle brought home a puppy, a mutt, who had golden hair so we called her Goldie. My Mom was from the City, Manhattan, and really knew nothing about animals. She used to let Goldie out by herself and she became known to all the neighbors and garbage men. Little did my Mom know that she became known, in the biblical sense, to all the male dogs and so she became pregnant early on in her life. This changed my Mother's attitude about the handling of Goldie and so it began with me and my brother walking her on a leash. In those days most dog owners in the neighborhood couldn't afford the Vet. for spaying so it was enforced birth control while the bitch was in heat. Goldie gave birth to a litter, I don't know 7 or so, on Christmas Eve. She was the perfect mother allowing people to view her offspring but growling if a non-member of the household got too close. They would gather at her teats and feed lustily. This was good, for awhile but like all mothers when they started to teethe and the teats became sore she pushed them away almost saying that they were getting big enough to fend for themselves. When they were given away she showed appropriate sadness but like most mothers she also showed relief that things were getting back to normal. She finally had to be put to sleep around 10 years old. Back then a call to the ASPCA and the dog catcher's truck came. Looking back this was cruel because even though Goldie was ill she needed someone from the family for the last goodbye. But back then we didn't think that way, even the church used to say Dogs had no souls. Maybe they still say that but we know that isn't true. Don't we?
The next dog that came into my life was an Alaskan Husky that one of my Uncles gave us. Since my brother and I weren't available for morning walks my Mother had to take this dog. One day they came to a corner where my mother wanted to cross the street and go straight ahead, the dog wanted to go left up the block. There was a tug of war and when my Mother became overly aggressive trying to show who was boss the Alaskan Husky bared his teeth and growled. They went left and walked as long as he wanted to. The dog found himself on some farm shortly thereafter or at least that is what Mom told us.
A little while later another Uncle brought home a pup who looked just like our first Goldie and as she grew she was an exact double. By now my Mom had a little savvy and more money so this Goldie got spayed and never knew the bliss of Mother-hood. Mom also let her out in the back yard and my brother and I walked her and cleaned up the yard. The turtles were still appearing and disappearing. This Goldie was a little rougher than the first one. Give her a bone and she'd go in back of the oil burner and growl ferociously at anyone who came into the house. What was hers was DEFINITELY hers. I tried to break her of this habit by hitting her with the top of my baseball bat until my mother made me stop. Didn't break her. We moved from The Hill in 1954 and left Goldie for the new owners, our cousins, who said they wanted her. Goldie was in the house with the painters for a week. My cousins changed their minds and we took Goldie with us to our new Port Washington house. She was in a car turning up our block and she saw us from afar and created quite a fuss so they had to let her out and she ran up to us whimpering and and licking us, she was really happy. We got the idea she was maltreated by the painters and was miserable for a week. She was now happy but nervous and she bit my cousin Angela one day for no apparent reason and then showed appropriate sadness in face and body language. Angela forgave her and life went on. In our new surroundings our cousins lived next door with my Aunt Anna (we called her Aunt Thannna). Everyone got up around 6 AM. Every morning my Mom would let Goldie out in the back and she would walk to my cousin's door and give a short bark and go in where my Aunt and cousin would give her some treats and talk to her. Then around 8 or so when my cousin would go to work she'd let her out back where she would go to our house give a low bark and go in until the evening where the ritual would repeat itself. This Goldie had a special liking for me because when we lived on The Hill and she was young she seemed to have something wrong with her mouth or throat and my Mom sent me to the Vet with her to check it out. Before we got there I stopped and tried to look in her mouth but she growled because she didn't trust me. I talked to her soothingly and asked her to please open her mouth. She did and upon inspecting I saw a piece if bone stuck between her teeth which I gingerly removed. She was out of pain. We didn't have to go to the Vets. and she seemingly never forgot this bond between us. After a decade or so this Goldie fell very ill and the Dog-catcher's truck came and she too left without one of us to comfort her. We just didn't know any better. There were no more dogs for my Mother's house as I finally entered the Army, got married and had a home of my own.
My wife and I had 7 children in the first nine years of our marriage and our house was too small for a dog that my kids were asking for. I promised them a dog if and when we moved to a bigger house. a confluence of occurrences happened in 1974. My neighbor's dog had pups and we moved. The day we moved was the day the next Goldie was brought to our door. We named this dog Goldie even though she was more brown than gold. He mother was a full breed German Shepard but whoever jumped over the fence and became her father must have been a runt because she was the runt of the litter, but as we found out, the best of the litter. Goldie was really my kids dog, when she was a pup she was like our 8th. child. She was very inquisitive. My oldest son had brought home a turtle from Oakland Lake and Goldie was determined to find out what was under the shell. One night when the house was full of people we let Goldie out back and when she came in she had blood all over her mouth. She acted like she did something wrong. We found the turtle. He was still alive and was brought back to the Lake hopefully to recover and live a long life. Goldie never did find out what was under that shell. One day as I was leaving for work I noticed the garage door ajar and the light on. I checked to see what was up and low and behold there was a dog with 3 and 1/2 legs looking at me with an expression that said "OOPS my cover is blown.". I went back in the house screaming and yelling because my oldest son had sneaked this dog into our house. I left with the ultimatum that that dog better be gone when I come home tonight. By the time I got to Flushing I felt like an ogre, called home and said the dog could stay until we find him a home. We placed ads and in three weeks or so we had someone who showed up with her daughter. By this time the little mongrel had wormed his way into my heart. The little girl and the mother wanted him. I pointed out his half back leg and he looked like he travelled with a pack of wild dogs. Nothing that I said mattered , they still wanted him and I had to admit I couldn't let him go, even Goldie looked happy. This began the era of Goldie and Henry (his name). When I referred to them many people thought I had an old Jewish couple staying with me, and believe me sometimes they acted like an old couple. She was the domineering one but at times he'd try to get a little amorous and she'd nip him. She didn't seem to mind when they would lie on the floor close to each other but don't try anything. Someone we knew had to get rid of a Myna bird and we had him for 8 months. This bird would drive Goldie and Henry up a wall by calling their name and they'd come to the cage and stare at the bird. When they would leave she'd say "Why don't you stay awhile.", which would drive them crazy. We didn't have air conditioning then and the August heat killed the bird, who by the way really disliked my oldest son. Goldie and Henry seemed relieved that no-one was calling their names and asking them to stay awhile. Henry was getting older and weaker. He'd go out in the coldest weather and stay in the backyard. One day one son drove him to the Vets. while one son held him in his arms in the back seat. Henry died in his arms fully evacuating all over my son. What a way to go Henry! At least we didn't have to "put you to sleep". Years later Goldie was getting older and very ill. She was about 16 and had been to the Vets around Thanksgiving and it didn't look good. One night she was jumping all over the place like the young Goldie. Very early the next morning we were awakened by high pitched yelps. Goldie couldn't walk. Two sons came with me to the Vets. This time I stayed with her as they injected her. He eyes were pleading with me to help her and I did the only way I knew how. Soon she was gone and our house had no more pets. That is until Benny came.
Benny was found by my youngest son in a warehouse out on Long Island. He was seemingly a nice mild mannered dog. Had a brownish color sort of like the 3rd. Goldie. Unfortunately we found out later he had some mental problems. If it was a real nice sunny day he liked to lie in the sun outside and if you weren't looking he'd jump the fence and wander away. One time we got a call from someone 2 or 3 miles away who found him wandering just enjoying life. The other big problem was he could sense if a storm, big or little, was on the way and this would drive him into a frenzy. We found this out one day when we were away from the house, my son upon returning found a screen ripped, a window out and Benny running all over the place seemingly shouting "The Sky Is Falling!". At night he'd insist on keeping someone awake with him as he awaited instant doom. One night as I was deep asleep a foul odor caused me to open my eyes and I was staring into the mouth of Benny imploring me to get up and await the impending doom. We tried everything but nothing worked. Then one winter's night during a snow storm Benny seemed to have trouble with his eye. We took him to Vet. specialists and the like and he had a tumor. My son accompanied Benny for his farewell since my experience with Goldie was still haunting me.
The last dog I had a close relationship with was a Border Collie mix which we named Jessie, actually Jessica but we called her Jessie. One day my Daughter who was working at Stern's comes home with this big black and white dog who was foaming at the mouth so much I thought of Rabies. Apparently someone had her but couldn't afford to keep her, and a cat I might add, and left them tied up in the parking lot. My Daughter had her checked out by the Vet. and Jessie came to spend some 16 or so years with us. Jessie was my Daughter's dog but she got married and couldn't take her with her and to tell the truth by then I would have been lost without Jessie. Jessie was with me when I got downsized and we used to take long early morning walks. I could tell Jess anything and she'd listen. She was a great listener. Then in the 1990's my Mom suffered a stroke and came to live with us for seven years. My wife suffered a heart attack and began her Alzheimer's journey. My back went out on me so violently that I almost need an operation. When the times seemed the roughest I'd wake early before sunrise and Jessie and I would lay on the floor in the Living Room and I could see out of one window to a tree on the corner and I talk to Jessie. My head would rest on her and she wouldn't move unless she wanted to kiss me then she'd lie down again and let my head rest on her as I told her of my troubles. Jessie liked to chase squirrels. One day she caught one but didn't know what to do with it so she let it go. My Mother had a great Aide that came for years whose name was Sophie. She was African American and extremely heavy but she loved us and we loved her. But Jessie loved her most of all. Whenever she'd come into the house Jessie would stand by her and Yowl with her head pointed up to her, singing to Sophie telling her how happy she was to see her. Jessie back legs were starting to go on her. The Vets. couldn't help her. I took her to a Chiropractor who was a forerunner in Chiropractic treatment of animals. Jessie wasn't too happy with this and it didn't help but at least we tried. Finally Jess had to go to the Vets. She evacuated in my car and it took weeks before I could get the odor out. She was embarrassed by this even though I assured her it was OK. The next day when I went to see her The Vet. told me it would be best to put her out of her misery. With the vision of Goldie 3 in my mind I said I wanted to be present. When Jessie saw me she was happy. I would take her home, for sure. I would rescue her. They carried her onto the table and injected her and the Vet., his nurse and I cried as Jessie slipped into the here-after.
I was blessed to have these animals in my life because they taught me how to love and how to die while enjoying life. The first Goldie made me realize that unless you want the results it is sure to bring don't let the young whose hormones are raging, out on their own without proper supervision, and even then who knows what will happen. But it is no-body's fault if the human condition is like those we call animals. Goldie two taught me never to abandon anyone especially those who are most vulnerable. My experience with Jessie and Goldie three gave me the strength to deal with the crisis I faced with my brother, mom and wife, knowing that sometime the right decisions that have to be made are not always the easy ones. The crazy Myna bird showed how a sense of humor is always great to have. All together, the dogs, birds and the turtles showed me that life is precious and in sharing the experience we all benefit. I would venture to guess the biggest lesson I have derived is if you are going to accept the responsibility to care then it can't be done half-way. My loving pets let me be me with no facade always ready to love because they trusted me, and I let them be who they were because I trusted them.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Memorial Day\A Day of Remembrance
He knew Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, came into being following the Civil War honoring the soldiers of Union and Confederate Armies and had morphed into a day of remembrance for all who had served and gave their lives in the service of this country. This had also developed into a general remembrance of all deceased relatives. This particular observance, for him, was really only about remembering his time with her. There were times he thought he got over her and could get on with his life but there were times like this that he couldn't get thoughts of her to leave him.
They met when the world was very young for them. They were on the threshold of life with opportunities spreading out before them. She was the most beautiful gal he had ever seen. The minute he laid his eyes upon her he knew whatever life might hold in store for him it would be empty without her. He kept pursuing her and she kept evading him until , as he liked to say, he chased her until she finally caught him. She was from a different background than he and he found everything that was different about her exciting. Her beauty was matched by the fire in her spirit. Their life together was not idyllic but with all the bumps and grinds of living their love became more intense. There were times that they really couldn't live with one another but they knew they would die without each other, to hold, to fight, to love passionately.
Somehow they got through most of their life without killing one another and they were entering the later stages where they could be comfortable being together and enjoying life. Then one day she started repeating herself and asking the same questions over and over again. The Doctors weren't sure of what was wrong but they were in agreement that something was amiss. Then one Doctor gave the diagnoses, Alzheimer's Disease. They left his office and sat in their car holding each other as the tears flowed. They made an agreement that they would cry now but after that they would face this illness with faith in God and the knowledge that together they'd get through this thing together laughing not crying.
These thoughts were flooding his mind as he stood at her grave site. He thought about all the times that they fought this situation. The Respite groups, caregiver support groups, more hospital visits finally the Nursing Home stay. All in all it was about fifteen years of the long goodbye. The last year she had slipped into quiet days and had to be lifted in and out of her wheel chair. It was obvious she was dieing yet he couldn't let her go. He was with her at almost every waking moment. He talked bravely but he really couldn't imagine life without her presence. She was still the most beautiful gal he had ever laid eyes on. She was still there.
It is said by some spiritualists that there are times when those who are very ill want to be released into the spiritual realm but they are held back by those who still want them with them and they can't bear to leave because of the love bond between them. As he stood by her grave site this Memorial Day he thought of her last day. His Daughter had come to visit and it gave him a chance to take a break and go for a walk around the block. When he came back someone they barely knew came to pay her respects, as all in the Home knew the time was fast approaching. They both went into the room together. His Daughter was at the side of the bed stroking her mother's hair, of course her eyes were closed and she seemed at peace. Suddenly this woman burst into tears and stared sobbing out loud. He tried to comfort her and finally did after taking her into his arms and soothing her. When she left, he and his daughter sat away from the bed, his back to it, and talked and laughed. His daughter suddenly looked and said I think Mom' may have gone. He went to the side of the bed and tried to wake her but couldn't. Time of death around 4:15 PM, cause of death listed as heart failure but it was really Alzheimer's. As he reflected on that day he supposed she took the time available to leave as the spiritualists say, when he couldn't hold her back. She went softly without any shown distress which would have wrecked him and his daughter and she went loving them as she always did. As he stood at her grave site he thought of the lyrics to Softly, As I Leave You There and thought "I bet she is taking this moment on this day of remembrance to let me know what really was going on that day and how she felt. Somehow this brought peace to him.
Softly, I will leave you softly
For my heart would break
If you should leave
And see me go
So I leave you softly
Long before you miss me
Long before your arms beg me to stay
For one more hour
For one more day
After all the years
I can't bear the tears
To fall, so softly
As I leave you there
Softly, long before you kiss me
Long before your arms can beg me stay
For one more hour
For one more day
After all the years
I can't bear the tears
To fall, so softly
As I leave you there
As I leave you there
As I leave you there
 | Softly As I Leave You - Lena Horne 4 min - Dec 31, 2010 - Uploaded by Momentoustiger We lost a great lady...As the year ends..We tribute! youtube.com |
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Nobody Asked Me But;
Wasn't it only a few years ago or maybe sooner that everyone was toasting President Obama for his gutsy call in nailing OBL? Now aren't many Tea Baggers and Republicans toasting him for being afraid and timid?
Did anyone take note that the Rapture didn't happen, yet the nut who said it was going to happen is still alive and kicking and being covered by the press? By the way he says the day passed in quiet judgement and the world will end Oct. 21, 2011. I bet he was wrong. No one want to cover the bets?
I think music is one of the greatest healers of the soul gifted to the human race. We all have "our" music from "our time" but I think the lyrics of the standards are pure poetry that soothe the broken hearts and spur the romanticist for example Jobin and Gilbert's :
Did anyone take note that the Rapture didn't happen, yet the nut who said it was going to happen is still alive and kicking and being covered by the press? By the way he says the day passed in quiet judgement and the world will end Oct. 21, 2011. I bet he was wrong. No one want to cover the bets?
I think music is one of the greatest healers of the soul gifted to the human race. We all have "our" music from "our time" but I think the lyrics of the standards are pure poetry that soothe the broken hearts and spur the romanticist for example Jobin and Gilbert's :
"Meditation"
In my loneliness when you're gone
And I'm all by myself and I need your caress
I just think of you and the thought of you holding me near
Makes my loneliness soon disappear
Though you're far away
I have only to close my eyes and you are back to stay
I just close my eyes and the sadness that missing you brings
Soon is gone and this heart of mine sings
Yes I love you so and that for me is all I need to know
I will wait for you till the sun falls from out of the sky
For what else can I do
I will wait for you, meditating how sweet life
Will be when you come back to me
Am I the only person that has run into people who are for smaller government but see no reason to stop the government from funding research for Cancer, Autism, Alzheimer's and other diseases because they have a personal interest as someone close to them is struck by these calamities? By the way not only research is involved but the establishment of special schools, respite programs and nursing homes and hospice funding is connected with government funding through such programs as Medicaid and Medicare.
Can someone tell me what is so sacrosanct about taxing the most wealthy including business a few more percentage points in order to balance the budget? Why can't the USA cut defense spending, ever? Does anyone like the current pretenders to the throne the Republican Party seems to be foisting on the American Public? Does anyone really understand what Paul Ryan is saying about his plan to cut the budget? I mean, cutting Medicare for those under 55 when they reach 65 seems OK to him since he'll be financially secure unless he gets too greedy. So if he and his ilk can do it why can't everyone? He'll probably be a Lobbyist when he leaves Congress or maybe he'll parley this into being President, then he won't have a worry in the world. BUT if those under 55 now when they reach 65 then, will because the voucher plan won't be able to cover their medical expenses by a long shot.
Has anyone topped George and Ira Gershwin as America's top composers?
"Summertime"
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh! Your Daddy's rich and your Ma is good lookin'
So, hush little baby, don't you cry . . .
One of these mornin's you're gonna rise up singin'
Then you'll spread your wings, and you'll take to the sky
But 'till that mornin' there's a nothin' can harm you,
with Daddy and Mammy standin' by . . .
But 'till that mornin' there's a nothin' can harm you,
with Daddy and Mammy standin' by . . .
Music by George Gershwin
with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Du Bose Heyward, 1933
Just had a call from a guy I know who really disliked Obama care. It so happens this guy has a wife who is ill physically and mentally. She had used up their mental health in-hospital care and he has been struggling with her treatment because her Doctor wants to hospitalize her for a short time in order to properly treat her. The insurance company just told him that under the Obama Heath care bill the requirements they placed on those they covered has gone away. He can now be covered when she is hospitalized for proper treatment. Needless to say he loves Obama care now. Nobody asked me but I predict that once he gets over his feeling of elation he again will find fault with Obama care. It is human nature especially for those who really can't stand the idea of the Obama Presidency, for no particular reason except they don't like him.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Youthful Indiscretions Do Come Home To Roost!
Sam entered the confessional. He chose the old type rather than face to face as this was something he was really wrestling with and preferred to discuss it in anonymity. As he knelt in the darkness the face high panel slid open and he could see a shadow of the priest sitting there. He started, "Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been about a year since my last..." he was interrupted by the priest, "Sam, is that you?". "Shit, just what I didn't want."
"Yeah, it's me. Paul?" Paul had been Sam's friend for many years and his Confessor as well, but face to face. "What's up Sam?" Father Paul was a bit perplexed as they usually met face to face but hadn't for some time now. Sam explained that he was in a sort of a delicate situation and really wanted an anonymous Confession but since they had started this maybe it was best to continue it to the bitter end. Sam requested that Paul would address him as 'my son" and he would be addressed as Father. Paul was uncomfortable with this since they knew each other so well and Sam was more than twenty years Paul's senior. Sam admitted that he was never comfortable with face to face confession saying he would be more comfortable if it took place at the local Pizzeria with a slice and beer in hand. Father Paul tried to get into why Sam was away from confession over a year. Sam responded that at his age there was very little to confess. When he was younger he had anger issues but now getting angry was too tiring. The things that placed into the occasion of sin no longer placed him anywhere. Even when he happened upon the real sexy scenes on HBO he would be bored and fall asleep. He did note that the Borgia's did bring to light that many Popes had illegitimate children but they didn't use birth control and they didn't marry. Father Paul didn't seem to happy with these observations. So he asked, "What brings you here today, my son?"
"Father, some time ago I hurt my back and was directed to a Chiropractor. When I first met her she struck me immediately of a girl I dated some fifty-seven years ago. My condition proved to be more complicated than usual which necessitated many visits for a few months for treatment. The more she treated me the more I remembered this young girl I had loved, briefly but passionately, so many years ago. I became infatuated with this young lady who was young enough to be my daughter. Every-time she touched me she aroused passions that I thought died with my wife. I did some investigation of her and hired a detective to give all the background I needed. It seems that her mother's name was Roberta which was the name of the girl I dated and which she looked so much like. It seems that her mother never married and her daughter never knew her father. While this information was being gathered I started to talk with her during my Chiropractic treatments. I got her to trust me like a father and she agreed to go out to dinner with me. We had quite a few dinners and for some strange reason she was attracted to me. We became intimate but not all the way. My Catholic upbringing! I want her passionately."
Father Paul had to admit he really couldn't see what the problem would be since there were two adult people who seemed to be genuinely in love and at this late stage there didn't seem to be a problem of an unwanted child. So even if the girl was "stupid" enough to get into a marriage with a guy who was really an "old man" there didn't seem to be any sin attached to this.
Sam responded, Father, there is a few things I haven't told you yet. Father said "Go on my son." "When I was going with Roberta we became intimate. Back then this was difficult thing for a gal to do and she became frightened that she would become pregnant. She told me she wasn't but we broke up shortly after. Her daughter, my Chiropractor, was born some months after we broke up. The woman I am in love with and have such passionate feeling about may, could be my daughter."
Father Paul was very shaken by this and insisted that Sam tell this lady everything so that a DNA test could be made. But Sam wasn't so sure he wanted to do that.Father Paul shouted in a stage whisper, "You are talking about an incestuous relationship." Sam protested that we don't know that for a fact and besides they never met before this year and they couldn't have children so what was the harm/ Father said that Sam had to follow through with this through what-ever the outcome maybe, not doing it was sinful, unfair and hurtful to the women he professed to love. In any case no absolution could be given until Sam did the right thing.
I will leave you with you choice as to how the story ends, a little like the Lady and the Tiger. The first choice is that Sam tells her and she is his daughter and they live happily ever after as father and daughter, or she is so pissed she hates him for the rest of their lives. The second door is, that Sam doesn't get the testing and they marry and are happy in connubial bliss until Sam dies in a few years with a smile on his face. The third door is that Sam wakes up from this very disturbing dream with his back still killing him but with another appointment with this pretty Chiropractor. The reader's choice? I know which one I have taken.
"Yeah, it's me. Paul?" Paul had been Sam's friend for many years and his Confessor as well, but face to face. "What's up Sam?" Father Paul was a bit perplexed as they usually met face to face but hadn't for some time now. Sam explained that he was in a sort of a delicate situation and really wanted an anonymous Confession but since they had started this maybe it was best to continue it to the bitter end. Sam requested that Paul would address him as 'my son" and he would be addressed as Father. Paul was uncomfortable with this since they knew each other so well and Sam was more than twenty years Paul's senior. Sam admitted that he was never comfortable with face to face confession saying he would be more comfortable if it took place at the local Pizzeria with a slice and beer in hand. Father Paul tried to get into why Sam was away from confession over a year. Sam responded that at his age there was very little to confess. When he was younger he had anger issues but now getting angry was too tiring. The things that placed into the occasion of sin no longer placed him anywhere. Even when he happened upon the real sexy scenes on HBO he would be bored and fall asleep. He did note that the Borgia's did bring to light that many Popes had illegitimate children but they didn't use birth control and they didn't marry. Father Paul didn't seem to happy with these observations. So he asked, "What brings you here today, my son?"
"Father, some time ago I hurt my back and was directed to a Chiropractor. When I first met her she struck me immediately of a girl I dated some fifty-seven years ago. My condition proved to be more complicated than usual which necessitated many visits for a few months for treatment. The more she treated me the more I remembered this young girl I had loved, briefly but passionately, so many years ago. I became infatuated with this young lady who was young enough to be my daughter. Every-time she touched me she aroused passions that I thought died with my wife. I did some investigation of her and hired a detective to give all the background I needed. It seems that her mother's name was Roberta which was the name of the girl I dated and which she looked so much like. It seems that her mother never married and her daughter never knew her father. While this information was being gathered I started to talk with her during my Chiropractic treatments. I got her to trust me like a father and she agreed to go out to dinner with me. We had quite a few dinners and for some strange reason she was attracted to me. We became intimate but not all the way. My Catholic upbringing! I want her passionately."
Father Paul had to admit he really couldn't see what the problem would be since there were two adult people who seemed to be genuinely in love and at this late stage there didn't seem to be a problem of an unwanted child. So even if the girl was "stupid" enough to get into a marriage with a guy who was really an "old man" there didn't seem to be any sin attached to this.
Sam responded, Father, there is a few things I haven't told you yet. Father said "Go on my son." "When I was going with Roberta we became intimate. Back then this was difficult thing for a gal to do and she became frightened that she would become pregnant. She told me she wasn't but we broke up shortly after. Her daughter, my Chiropractor, was born some months after we broke up. The woman I am in love with and have such passionate feeling about may, could be my daughter."
Father Paul was very shaken by this and insisted that Sam tell this lady everything so that a DNA test could be made. But Sam wasn't so sure he wanted to do that.Father Paul shouted in a stage whisper, "You are talking about an incestuous relationship." Sam protested that we don't know that for a fact and besides they never met before this year and they couldn't have children so what was the harm/ Father said that Sam had to follow through with this through what-ever the outcome maybe, not doing it was sinful, unfair and hurtful to the women he professed to love. In any case no absolution could be given until Sam did the right thing.
I will leave you with you choice as to how the story ends, a little like the Lady and the Tiger. The first choice is that Sam tells her and she is his daughter and they live happily ever after as father and daughter, or she is so pissed she hates him for the rest of their lives. The second door is, that Sam doesn't get the testing and they marry and are happy in connubial bliss until Sam dies in a few years with a smile on his face. The third door is that Sam wakes up from this very disturbing dream with his back still killing him but with another appointment with this pretty Chiropractor. The reader's choice? I know which one I have taken.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Have We Lost Our Sense of Wonder?
Webster's New World Dictionary defines wonder thus; "a person, thing, or event causing astonishment, and admiration: marvel". I might add, something that takes your breath away and leaves you stunned in your tracks. There are things that occur each and every day that should cause a sense of wonderment but because they do occur so often and in what we would call the natural state we take them for granted or don't even recognize the magic around us. Many would like to say we lose our sense of wonder as we age implying that the young have this sense. From infancy actually we are being groomed to bury the sense of wonder and just accept the daily act of experiencing new things as though it is nothing special. Maybe this is needed or else we couldn't focus on obtaining objectives and goals if we were always in awe of our surroundings. Thinking about this concept led me to contemplate the various things I come in contact with from both the natural and super natural that I have really taken for granted.
For those of us who believe, Easter is really about an event that should leave us stunned and breathless, I mean, Dead and now Alive! Yeah I know there are religious celebrations but aren't they more about the clothes, family meals Easter Bunnies? There is a kind of a reenactment of this type of thing that we do every day. Our bodies get tired, need sleep and after a period of unconsciousness we rise refreshed (I hope). We don't know why this type of activity is needed but without it we would die. We don't give a second thought to our bodies or mind unless we get sick. Just think, we are really a collection of solidified chemicals operating through some electrical system that has a network of nerves through our spine up into our brain which somehow produces thoughts which may be a reflection of our soul which is formless. We don't stand in awe of all this because we don't really understand it but it is wonderful. Is it not?
Some other things that might cause wonder could be that experience that can only take place once and when it does we don't realize how full of wonder it was. My first kiss occurred in a hallway when I was three and playing house with my next door neighbor. A very long time ago but it was sweet, full of innocence giving a bit of an entry into an older life. I still remember it and the bonding of two small people. Almost twenty years later my first kiss with my wife took place on a starlit night overlooking Manhasset Bay. A different kind of kiss but one I still remember as our lips met for the first time not quite as innocent as the other first kiss but just as important. Wonderful moments in the development of a life. There are other moments that cause a sense of wonder when contemplated. I know a person who has a tree that produces peony flowers which are beautiful. To me the wonder is in how a seed can produce tall trees and beautiful flowers. To this person the wonder is in the same things I see but more because they bond with a person, experiences that she had that the Peony Tree inspires memories of. Isn't this something we should be in wonderment about and awed how the human mind can take inanimate objects and bring them alive with events that seemingly have passed but still live in our mind?
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and the views are awe inspiring. The stars light up the night sky with the night's orb burning with the light provided by the sun which we won't see 'till morning. Many years ago my wife and I married and shared many kisses and produced children who produced children and I've got to see all of that. Now that I reflect on it all I stand in amazement and marvel at the wonderful things that are happening all around me all the time.
Have I lost the sense of wonder? Maybe I'm just getting it back.
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Party's Over
Didn't they realize he could hear them? They were all gathered around his bed. The Doctor assured them the end was near and they should consider taking him off the hook ups the hospital had him tied to. He had not opened his eyes in about a week and he was going back and forth between consciousness and coma or was it sleep. What the hell he thought he lived the good life and although he wasn't one hundred he was pretty near. He wasn't sure of his age since his birth date was elusive sometimes remembered sometimes not. He knew he had many years though. The sound of their voices were fading as though he was entering a tunnel and the voices were sounding as though they were in an echo chamber. He was slipping back in his mind some eighty years or so and he no longer was hearing those voices talking of his demise. He saw himself walking into Sunny's Bar & Grill the place he played for about a year on Saturday nights. He was the trumpet in a quartet that featured Tenor Sax, Piano and Drums and anyone who might drop in for a jam session. He was the youngest of the quartet and entered the bar with youthful enthusiasm happy in the fact that the patrons all knew him and gave him some sort of celebrity status. The older guys brushed it off but he revelled in it with youthful enthusiasm. The Bar was dimly lit and filled with serious drinkers in a blue collar neighborhood, boiler makers were the main drink at the Bar and since they didn't bother getting up early on Sundays they drank plenty of them. He walked through the Bar to a door at rear which opened to a large room with wooden floors and tables set up for customers which came every Saturday. They had as little as twenty people and as much as one hundred and fifty depending on what was going on in the neighborhood. They loved the music that was played, some Dixie, some Latin (Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba), and as the night played on and the drinking took effect plenty of slow Fox Trots, romance was being served up for late night promises of love.
The night started out at nine and went to one, as the law said no more drinks after one Sunday morning. The place never got crowded until ten or ten thirty. At around eleven fifteen Mae, an old lady, maybe around sixty five, who had been drinking for many hours at the Bar, would come in and be welcomed loudly. She had on an old slightly dirty house dress and she'd break up the place with Red Hot Mama songs like "Won't you Come Home, Bill Bailey' "I'll be glad when you're Dead You Rascal You". There would be whistles and cheers as the place rocked and whiskey and pitchers of beer flowing freely. Tommy, the singing waiter would follow with some Al Jolson type of songs which in the Spring would include "April Showers". He finished his act with novelty songs like "The Tattooed Women" which was about a woman who had tattoos all over her body and the song mentioned where and had a comment about it, ending with "...That's why I go to Jersey every day." The crowed roared whistled and ordered more drinks and some food and looked forward to the last hour of music and dancing. Around mid-night the Trumpet Player would sing "I'm In The Mood For Love" and "Don't Blame me". There were schmaltzy Trumpet solos ala Bobby Hackett and the patrons in their slightly drunken stupor would hold each other tighter, closer and sway sensuously as the night was coming to a close.
He was floating back and forth through the haze of his memories and the voices talking in hushed tones about how they were going to miss him but it would be better for all concerned if he checked out tonight. The voices were beginning to fade into the echo chamber again and he was back at Sunny's in Howard Beach on Cramp Place. Around eleven a wedding party came in. The Bride, Groom Best Man the ladies in waiting, the whole crew. They looked like they were three sheets to the wind already and they got to drinking right away. The quartet was on a break and suddenly a fight broke out among the people in the Wedding Party. The Band immediately headed for the Band Stand to protect their instruments and stay out of the way of any punches. The Sax and the Trumpet players were concerned with their lip, embouchure, while the piano and drums were concerned with their hands. Guys from the Bar and the bartender and waiters restored order and calm. But before they did they asked the Band to play an upbeat tune. The Piano player asked what happened and it seems the best man made a play for the bride and she reciprocated which annoyed the Groom greatly. With this in mind and acquiescing to the request for music the piano play yelled out the key and broke into "Somebody Stole MY Gal". Need less to say not everyone found this funny but order was restored.
The last set of the evening had slow music with the admonition to the girls to be careful and the guys to drive carefully so we'd all meet next week. The set might consist of "Dream", "Show Me The Way To Go Home" but would always end with "The Party's Over". The words of "The Party's Over" was in his mind as he returned through that tunnel to the hospital room and those voices which he wasn't sure he recognized. But he couldn't get those lyrics out of his head:
The night started out at nine and went to one, as the law said no more drinks after one Sunday morning. The place never got crowded until ten or ten thirty. At around eleven fifteen Mae, an old lady, maybe around sixty five, who had been drinking for many hours at the Bar, would come in and be welcomed loudly. She had on an old slightly dirty house dress and she'd break up the place with Red Hot Mama songs like "Won't you Come Home, Bill Bailey' "I'll be glad when you're Dead You Rascal You". There would be whistles and cheers as the place rocked and whiskey and pitchers of beer flowing freely. Tommy, the singing waiter would follow with some Al Jolson type of songs which in the Spring would include "April Showers". He finished his act with novelty songs like "The Tattooed Women" which was about a woman who had tattoos all over her body and the song mentioned where and had a comment about it, ending with "...That's why I go to Jersey every day." The crowed roared whistled and ordered more drinks and some food and looked forward to the last hour of music and dancing. Around mid-night the Trumpet Player would sing "I'm In The Mood For Love" and "Don't Blame me". There were schmaltzy Trumpet solos ala Bobby Hackett and the patrons in their slightly drunken stupor would hold each other tighter, closer and sway sensuously as the night was coming to a close.
He was floating back and forth through the haze of his memories and the voices talking in hushed tones about how they were going to miss him but it would be better for all concerned if he checked out tonight. The voices were beginning to fade into the echo chamber again and he was back at Sunny's in Howard Beach on Cramp Place. Around eleven a wedding party came in. The Bride, Groom Best Man the ladies in waiting, the whole crew. They looked like they were three sheets to the wind already and they got to drinking right away. The quartet was on a break and suddenly a fight broke out among the people in the Wedding Party. The Band immediately headed for the Band Stand to protect their instruments and stay out of the way of any punches. The Sax and the Trumpet players were concerned with their lip, embouchure, while the piano and drums were concerned with their hands. Guys from the Bar and the bartender and waiters restored order and calm. But before they did they asked the Band to play an upbeat tune. The Piano player asked what happened and it seems the best man made a play for the bride and she reciprocated which annoyed the Groom greatly. With this in mind and acquiescing to the request for music the piano play yelled out the key and broke into "Somebody Stole MY Gal". Need less to say not everyone found this funny but order was restored.
The last set of the evening had slow music with the admonition to the girls to be careful and the guys to drive carefully so we'd all meet next week. The set might consist of "Dream", "Show Me The Way To Go Home" but would always end with "The Party's Over". The words of "The Party's Over" was in his mind as he returned through that tunnel to the hospital room and those voices which he wasn't sure he recognized. But he couldn't get those lyrics out of his head:
The party's over
It's time to call it a day
No matter how you pretend
It's time to wind up
The masquerade
Just make your mind up
The piper must be paid
The party's over
The candles flicker and dim
You danced and dreamed through the night
It seemed to be right
just being with him
Now you must wake up
All dreams must end
Take off your make-up
The party's over
It's all over my friend
You danced and dreamed through the night
It seemed to be right
just being with him
Now you must wake up
All dreams must end
Take off your make-up
The party's over
It's all over my friend
Then the voices stopped. The memories ceased. The party was finally over but it was a good party.
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