Today’s the day

Actually it’s this evening. The Amazing Bob boarded the Oblivion Express at 6:15 PM.

His body said HEY, lights out! two years ago today but it feels like it’s happening right now, for the very first time.

Jen and I got to MGH at midnight. The docs had called her shortly before saying it’s time – this is it. We spent the day by his side, his hand in mine. Before he went down for the count we snarked, bantered, cuddled and kissed. You know, the uszh.

Today is the fourth of July. TAB absolutely hated this day with the constant bang, bang of Black Cats, M-80s, Lady Fingers, Roman Candles and the like. They really fucked with his post-Nam PTSD. He’d spend the day (with Coco of course) in his study listening to Louis Armstrong (it’s his birthday today!), writing and avoiding the cacophonous hoopla.

How am I gonna spend this mondo mournful anniversary? Jen, Oni and I will head up to Portsmouth, New Hampshire later this morning. We’ll poke around in galleries, stop in at RiverRun Bookstore, have lunch, maybe go for a walk on Wallis Sands, Salisbury or Crane Beach. Afterward, we’ll find a place with fruity adult bevs and apps.

Your gratuitous Coco pic

Different shops, different beaches, different pubs — distraction.

That he’s gone – it still feels wholly unreal. That I continue to exist, to function, to even laugh on occasion feels odd. Not bad, just – when I snap into self voyeur mode – funny, strange, curious and unexpected.

These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all, oh yeah

The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder

Boy in the Bubble – Paul Simom