Well gang, I guess I have not been very reliable lately huh?

I am sorry about that. I have been really hurting over the loss of my friend Angelo Gambatese, and last night I just plain fell asleep before I got to the blog.

I had been trying to figure out how to get to NJ for Ang's services. I was trying flying, trains, driving...nothing seemed to be a good option. I WAS going to drive until I heard the weather report.

I am sad that I can not go. I was ready. Now...not everyone agrees with me.
More than one person told me to stay home and not "push myself" and to not "overdo" it.

Now, my lovely wife is ALWAYS worried that I am going to overdo it. She knows me well. She is always afraid that I am trying to do to much. But this time was different. THIS time, pretty much everyone told me to stay home. THIS time everyone thought I was going to try to do too much.

In fact, this was the first time I had to worry about trying to do too much myself...and that fact really bothers me.

Normally, I would just shrug it off, push through and then figure out a way. This time I was willing to let the weather report make my decision for me....THIS time, I even had to MAKE a decision. I am not used to that.

Ang, I am sorry I won't be there. Everyone says you know I will be there in spirit, I am glad for that.

But we all know that funerals and wakes are for the living...not the deceased.

I'll get to say good bye in my own way tomorrow and Thursday while the services take place, but I won't get to go see my friend one last time. Selfishly...that makes me very sad, particularly because of the REASON I won't get to go....my own imperfection.

Here is one last little reflection:
Today is Mardi Gras, so that means tomorrow is Ash Wednesday...the start of Lent. For us Catholics, that means giving up something. This year, it will be particularly hard to fulfill that requirement since I have already given up so many things.

I guess I could give up eating "heart-healthy", but I think that is not the idea (and I think Ashley would hurt me :) )

Laissez le bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll) as they say in New Orleans.

Good night & God bless