Another Day without Jeff

I want to talk about Jeff's 15th birthday. It was last Thursday. I am blessed with many friends and one of them, the Rochester friend I have known the longest is Betty. Betty came to visit me last week because it was Jeff's birthday.

I took a hike --just Cosby and I -- the morning of Jeff's birthday. Then hung around home visiting with Betty. I kept on thinking about Jeff all day and what we would have done had he been alive. I laughed because the answer was so obvious. I would be at work most of the day and Jeff would be on the computer playing Counter Strike or Halo. I would call him several times to wish him a happy birthday and check up on him and each time I suggested that he go outside and play he would sweet talk me into letting him stay on the computer cuz it was his birthday.

Doug, Kate, Betty, Jim and I went to Red Robin for dinner. Jeff would have loved it there -- it is a hamburger joint, a large open area which is loud and full of color with multiple conversations and TVs going.

I have been asking Jeff for continued signs and to make them obvious to us all. I love to hear other people's signs and am thinking maybe that is what we should use this space for -- memories of Jeff's life and signs of his presence. While I was eating at Red Robin on Jeff's birthday, this song came on that reminds me of Jeff and Jeff's death - called "The Riddle" by Five for Fighting. I love Five for Fighting -- a singer and songwriter named after his hockey days when he got a 5 minute penalty for fighting while playing a hockey game.

I think of Jeff and how talented he was. He played the trumpet well and would have gone far if it weren't for the fact that he hated to practice. I will add a link to a blog with a song his trumpet teacher Jonah wrote for him. It is an incredible song.

I can see Jeff cutting an album (do they still call it this) and calling himself 1 minute for ??? (whatever lacrosse penalty was his favorite). It wouldn't have been unsportsmanlike as Jeff on the field would never lose his temper.

I love you, buddy.