4PM on a lazy Sunday afternoon and I’m baking in a lounge chair, listening to the Bare Naked Ladies. The song: “If I Had A Million Dollars.” My thought: What WOULD I do …”If I had a million dollars?”
No, seriously. What would I do?
Well, first I’d get rid of my debt. Second, I’d earmark funds for air travel to the kids. Then, I guess, it would make sense to sprinkle some on favorite charities.
Finally, before I piss it all away, I would give the rest to one of my kids to hold for the family benefit. (Money won’t change my life and I was never much good at handling it anyway).
The million wouldn’t make me thinner nor could it make me happier. It would bring neither world peace nor family tranquility. And for certain it could not guarantee that my next set of wired aces wouldn’t be cracked by some putz that should have folded pre-flop.
And clearly, it could not sweeten t the beautiful weekend I am having. The best things in life remain free.
There’s a program guy that has an expression…he speaks of “marveling in the ordinary.” Today…at least at this point in time….that’s where I am.
What a weekend. Peaceful. Busy. Ordinary. And I am grateful for every moment!
Friday evening Bob, Terry and I went to Shaker Square to see “Bruno.” Terry feared it would be mobbed and wanted to get there 45 minutes early. Bob and I disagreed, but were outvoted. (It was fun sitting outside for nearly an hour).
After the show I went to a meeting, and then to The Boneyard for some live music. Same old same old, so I was home by 11, just in time for Seinfeld.
Saturday began with the traditional Breakfast With Jacobson. The food at Jack’s was predictably bad and I vowed never to return. This sacred promise is also tradition; within the month Michael will “guilt” me back.
I then went to Chagrin Falls for a morning meeting, did some office work, took nap, a walk, and a swim— then an early dinner at Giant Eagle’s salad bar. A calming day…and a beautiful day.
The evening brought more music at Legacy. A friend’s band was playing out and t’was a good chance to see all the usual suspects. Time to catch up with all my friends that have managed to stay married lo these many years.
Then another meeting. Then home for a new L&O/SVU.
Today I awoke at 6:14 to a vibrant sun. Hal, Margie and I were breakfasting to plan our mother’s unveiling. Should the stone carry her married name (Lerner) or her buried name (Turner)? She’s resting next to middle-spouse Sam, who she’d identified as the “love of her life.” Still, after Sam’s death she wed, then twice sued, but never completed divorces from # 3, The Thief. What would the respectful thing to do be? What would she want? What would the rabbis say?
G/d, of course, puts people in your path to answer such questions. And so it was that at 9AM, as I downed my oatmeal, the rabbi walked right into Corky & Lenny’s.
“Lerner Turner” is appropriate, said Rabbi Jacobson. We thanked Michael for his advice and exited the restaurant. (That man always has the answer).
After the cemetery I filled mid-day with other “ordinary” matters: Stopped by Brother Burnside’s to see his grandchild. Reminisced a bit with some old Riviera friends…picked up a cake for Chuck P’s Going Away Dinner.
(Does everybody leave Cleveland?)
And it’s only mid-Sunday afternoon.
Tonight I will dine with pals and bid the first of many goodbyes to Brother Chuck. And I will go to a meeting, then home to Darryl and Darryl.
And, when I go to sleep I will feel gratitude for a remarkable weekend of doing nothing, doing everything, and enjoying it all.
Grandma Bogart used to quote King Solomon to me in Hebrew. The English, however, was that “He is rich who is satisfied.” I can still hear her say it. And that, believe it or not, is why this entry begins “If I Had A Million Dollars” rather than “If I Were A Rich Man.”
I don’t have the million, but I can certainly “marvel in the ordinary.” My grandma would say I am rich.
I agree.