This afternoon, my friend, I sat on a worn stone bench under a tree. It was a glorious afternoon: sunny, warm and a light breeze wandering around.

For a while I pondered the year gone by with all its changes. And I thought about how you would have enjoyed that, mid-afternoon, I walked out of the office in the midst of crisis’ and bedlam to sit on a bench under a tree. I listened to the sounds of the road to my right and observed the birds playing on my left. Every now and then I watched a car drive down the lane or people walking around with serious intent. Mostly I just sat on that bench under that tree.

Saturday at Tomaso’s we will celebrate your life. One of your favorite restaurants with good friends, good food and good memories. I will probably imbibe a bit much, so be it.

But today it was just a guy, with his friend, sitting on a worn stone bench under a tree on a beautiful afternoon.

March 16, 2009