Day 23

I have described in recent blog entries of how sometimes it is very difficult for me when I come back to Cleveland on an emotional level. This recent less than 48 hour trip was a completely different story. It was 100% worth 5 airports in 4 days just to be here. Sometimes I take for granted just how amazing my family is and how lucky I am to be a member of it. I spent yesterday afternoon riding he rapid train down to Tower City with my nephew Jace who absolutely loves trains. Watching the pure joy on his face just from something so simple like riding a train warmed my heart. On top of that, watching my mother's spirit lifted by spending this time with her grandson was priceless. They share such an amazing bond. Holding my niece Reese yesterday and this morning is yet another wonderful experience. She is so adorable and such a good baby - and I'm not just saying that because she is my niece, I fully admit I am totally biased, its the truth. My brother is a lucky man to have such beautiful kids.

Most importantly, this weekend was to celebrate the bar mitzvah of my cousin Debbie's son Mitch. Though I missed the service because I was flying in (and to be honest, I don't think I can ever set foot in the sanctuary where my father's funeral was held ever again), I was told by everyone how amazing he was. The aspect of this weekend that made it so special was the time I was able to share with my cousins. To me, it was so much fun, yet so sad. It was so much fun on so many levels - conversations with everyone, shots with Kathy and Steve, drinks with MD, Susie and Jules, watching Debbie "work the room," etc. There were so many classic moments - Steve holding MD over his head and ripping his shirt and MD responding "why does it always have to be physical with you." Watching Aunt Leslie dance with all of the 13 year olds. Steve taking off his shirt to shoot hoops. Finding Susie in the game room reeling in fish as everyone was about to leave. Probably the best part of the evening was at the end, when the bar had cleared out and it was just the cousins. The DJ played so old school tunes and we tore up the dance floor. To quote Steve: "When the cards are on the table, Susie always steps up." Watching Steve J dancing with his daughter Emma on the last sing of the night was to cute for words. I played Air Hockey with Emma, shot some hoops with Brian and Mitch. I laughed, smiled, and drank the night away.

Then comes the sad part. This group is almost never in the same room together anymore. Growing up, we all spent so much time together, and now that we are old enough to appreciate it, we are all apart. Steve in Boulder, Kathy and Jules in SF, Susie and Bill, Steve and Debbie in Cleveland, MD in Detroit, and Leah and I in Chicago. So when we have nights like last night, they always stick with me. I know that I was annoying with the photos last night, but to quote the greatest camera guy I have ever known "you'll hate it tonight, but you will love me for it in 10 years." In my drunken stupor, I left my camera in MD's car and won't get it back until Tuesday when he UPS's it back to me. I just want to state for the record how much I love and miss my cousins. Even though we are so spread out, I will never take for granted what we have.

Song of the Day: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. Seems appropo this morning.