VALENTINE'S DAY 2011

Three days later, I arrived in warm and sunny
Naples with a suitcase full of winter clothes.  Although I would never complain
about needing to shop for a few summer items.  Jet setting around the
country from city to city is one thing, but leaving my newborn
granddaughter to attend a funeral, at least fifty years
premature, is another thing all together. I entered a house overflowing
with love, where now family and friends smiled one minute
and broke down crying the next.  There were precious moments of laughter
when fond memories of Danton were retold while we sat in the hot tub. A hot
tub where Danton sat only days ago.  Then there were other
moments filled with anger and resentment towards this unfortunate and untimely
accident that stole Danton away, long before his time.  Why is it that
when you are feeling sad and disheartened and would readily welcome a gloomy
rainy day, the sun insists on shining brightly day after day after day? 
The funeral was on Valentine's Day. Yes, Valentine's Day.  I don't think
I will ever spend another Valentine's Day without remembering this particular
one filled with great sadness.  The Lutheran Church was filled with
over a hundred friends and family members.  Danton was cremated, so there
wasn't a body to view, just a beautifully decorated urn portraying a
golfer.  It wasn't until the video of Danton's life started that the women
cried uncontrollably and even men could be seen wiping away a tear or
two.  Thank heavens for Kleenex!  After the funeral and a light
luncheon served by the church, we arrived back at their house.  An odd
sense of serenity could be seen in Danton's mother, Sonja, and Danton's
girlfriend, Kelly, when the urn was set on the table.  At least now they
knew where he was. This was the first funeral I have attended for a young
person and I guess I never thought about what happens after the
funeral.  Unfortunately, life goes on whether you want it to or not. 
You can't help unintentionally waiting for that person to still walk in the door
or for a call that will never come.  All you can do is remember this
person and continue to keep them alive in your memories by talking about those
shared happy moments.  You must go on with the normal everyday things. So
since it was Valentine's Day, the twelve of us dined at Danton's favorite
local Italian restaurant and the women all left with a long stemmed red rose.