You ever sit front row? I have. The first time I remember was a White Sox game, back in 1985. It wasn’t where our seats were, but back in the day, as the game proceeded, and the crowd thinned out, they allowed us to run down and sit where we wanted. We ran down and sat first row up the 3rd base line for the last couple innings. The memorable thing about that game is that it was a Thursday, and the Bears were playing the Vikings, and they showed those highlights on the big screen, as the Bears came back and won, remaining undefeated. The second time I recall was in LA. My future wife and I were at a Suns Clippers preseason game; we were sitting in the nosebleeds. They were running a seat upgrade promotion and asked if we were interested… hell yeah. They moved us down to courtside; it was crazy. Saw Shaq’s big ass and coach Bill Cartwright. My wife took a picture with Warren G who was also sitting down there; I love that picture. The last time I recall was at a Chicago Wolves hockey game. My dad, brother, and brother in law were all there. We bought tickets that included a hot dog, beer, and seats on the glass. I had never sat on the glass before. That was really fun as well. Sitting front row… it’s awesome… I can’t think of a case where it’s not, oh wait…
I’ve been to a lot of wakes over the years. I’ve lost family and friends. I’ve attended wakes for people that I work with whose family member has passed away; I’ve attended wakes for people that I’ve worked with, the most recent being about a month ago. I flew out to New Jersey for that; I was really happy I did. Whenever I attend a wake, my mind would always wander to my parents, which ended up getting me emotional, if I wasn’t already there. I’ve been to a wake for a young kid; that was really sad. Actually, across the way, was another wake going on, for a baby… brutal. One of my Mom’s sisters actually passed away when she was 2 months old, way back in the day… I’d been to one recently where a 30 year old had died; that was really sad. I would always pay my respects, say hello to the person I was there for, and think in my head… I’m glad I’m not sitting in the front row. Well, Thursday was our turn; I’d much rather be sitting in the back row…
Yeah, rough day… a day that I wished had never come, but in reality, I knew would… one day. It was… surreal. I was doing OK for the most part, mostly because all the people that streamed in between 4pm and 8pm. I bounced from one to the next, trying to talk to everyone, thanking them for coming. All the support that we have received, whether it was via text message, email, phone call, flowers, card, gifts, and/or showing up in person, was so much appreciated; talk about things that help us get by… Well, now that this day is done… only one thing remains…
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