Of course it is inconvenient. So what. One does what one must do. Sure I have prior commitments, but I will get them all taken care of.
I lost my best friend. The guy I literally grew up with. The guy I learned how to throw a baseball, fly a kite, catch a fish, ride a bike, capture a flag and hang out with. How could I not attend his celebration of life gathering next Saturday.
It's only a couple thousand air miles away. I can arrange a sub, catch the first boat out, ride the light rail, have an Uber driver waiting and get there a touch late, but at least I'll be able to live with the decision. I owe him AT LEAST that.
I have never met his wife or kids. The last time we saw each other was around 1984. As I mentioned earlier, we were in contact back in August as my brother, also a baseball lifer, being the President of the same Babe Ruth League that produced several kids, polished and ready to the minors and then a few to The Show, ran into him at a clinic for inner city kids, sponsored by MLB, that provided some structure and more importantly a glimmer of hope.
The two of them talked and Robbie asked Chris, my brother as to my whereabouts. He is still outside of Seattle. Phone numbers were exchanged and I got a call later that evening with the info.
So I gotta go any pay final respects, because that is what it truly will be. Never have I respected anyone as much as Rob. From the day we met as neighbors in 1955 to a few days ago when I got the sad news, I have wanted to do something, anything, to show my respect and admiration for this incredible man.
So the hell with the inconvenience.
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