Gerry's Party
When I left off in my previous post, Kelly and I were on our way over to the party for Gerry. A party was something he had requested and it seemed fitting to toast him now that he’s gone. A group of friends was asked to organize it and many worked very hard to bring it all together in a week’s time.
A friend of Mandy’s dad had a place he would let us use and the planning group went to see it the Wednesday prior to the party. I arrived as everyone was walking in and was impressed by the facility. Mandy was there, too, and brought her kids. Seeing Emma and Caleb for the first time since the accident nearly brought me to tears again. Gerry so loved his family! Both kids were happy exploring the place so I kept my feelings to myself.
After the tour we didn’t go back until the Friday before the party. Arriving just as the initial work was wrapping up, I passed Dad in the parking lot as he waqs on his way home. He had been working on a DVD of photographs to play at the party and had just dropped it off. With not much else to be done, I joined Jeff, Suzie, Bill, and Janet for a beer and a bite to eat. We discussed how each of us was dealing with Gerry’s death and what we could do to help. I laughed at yet another new Gerry story or two and teared up at other stories.
By Saturday all of the prep work had been done. Following the service Kelly and I were to be greeting the guests at the party. We got there around 3:45 when there was already a group of guests. Kelly took to manning the arrival table,and getting people their duct-tape nametags while I got recruited to help Bill buy some wine.
Bill drove us over to the Lowe’s Foods on Strickland and Six Forks and we wandered over to the wine aisle. After filling our cart with various bottles, we went over to buy some plastic cups. Bill wore a dark suit and I wore a sport coat and slacks but we both wore socks and sandals, making us quite a sight. As Bill grabbed a package of cups off the shelf, I laughed as the woman next to him absent-mindedly looked him up and down, starting with his sandals!
The party soon was well underway. There were 300 people who RSVP’d and most everyone was now there. Bartenders Kathrine and Mike Spinak, Scott Greenough, and Jon Yusko were serving up drinks. Crowds sat at the many tables in the room, while a projector showed scenes from Gerry’s life on the screen on the stage. Music Gerry had chosen for his 40th birthday party was playing through the venue. A large wall was covered with craft paper and guests were writing their thoughts about Gerry on it. And Dad was in the next room over, videotaping people as they talked about Gerry.
Mandy’s dad Sirus made an announcement and Mandy said a few words after that. I told folks about the videotaping and that wine was now available. Then I picked up the camera and began snapping pictures. When I wasn’t taking photos, I was working behind the bar or saying hello to many of Gerry’s good friends. I also would find Jeremy, the facility’s manager, whenever we needed more trash bags or the air-conditioning adjusted.
People seemed to be having a good time. I saw many smiles and more than a few laughs as people swapped their stories about Gerry. Mandy got around and said hello to as many people as she could. Folks lined up to record their thoughts onto videotape.
Then, all too soon, the party was over. The guy from Clyde Cooper’s BBQ began packing his things up. A mad rush to clean up took place. Many beer bottles were put into recycling bins and excess beer was divvied up. Those who needed a ride home were provided with one. And I went around taking as many pictures as I could before everyone left.
With cleanup under control, Kelly and I dropped off some excess barbecue in our refrigerator. We then went out to a bar near the main hotel and met up again with our friends, old and new. There were smiles and laughter here, too, but also a tone of somberness that didn’t seem to be around at the party. Perhaps many felt like I did, that what we just went through couldn’t have possibly happened. Or that Gerry would’ve loved parties like these. As for me, I was happy to have given Gerry a fitting farewell but the previous two weeks had left me exhausted and I hoped to get some sleep that night.
With that in mind, We arrived home at a somewhat-reasonable hour and slept in late, as the kids were staying with friends. Our reunion with the kids that morning was a bit more meaningful for me that most. I couldn’t wait to hug and kiss them, because I realized more than ever that I can’t ever take that for granted.
Goodbye, my friend. See you on the other side someday.