I’ve been dealing with some strange feelings lately knowing that a year ago Pop was in the hospital, letting go of his life over the period of a few weeks. It seems like everything that touches off an emotion hits me like a brick. Last night, Sjelle and I watched “Million Dollar Baby” on DVD, and I found myself overwhelmed by many of the emotions I felt last year when I was saying goodbye to Pop. From watching a sad movie??I find myself wondering how much will I really enjoy this New Year’s eve. Especially when I’m remembering that last year on New Year’s eve, I was flying back to LA from Belize City to see Pop for the last time. I hope I can still enjoy the moments, the friends and everything else despite all that. Particularly when I look back at all the things that have happened this past year, good and bad, and end up smiling. I think Pop would want me to do that.
What comes to my mind as a very special memory is our millennium new year’s celebration. Mahi and I decided we wanted to do something really special for new year 2000. We knew we didn’t want to spend it in LA, but somewhere different. We came up with the idea to rent a townhouse in Key West for that week and just have all our good friends join us for an excellent new year’s weekend in Key West. After making all the plans, we decided to invite Pop to come along. He accepted (he had no other plans and did not want to sit in his crummy little rented room he was in New Smyrna Beach). So we flew in the day after Christmas and drove out to pick Pop up and down to Key West we went.
With Pop in the car, six and half hours in a car can seem alot like six days!
Pop was not particularly in a cheerful mood at the start. He was cranky, whined alot about the air conditioning in the townhouse (it was too cold and was going to give him pneumonia). He talked incessantly and wore out most of the guests at the beginning of the week. But as we got closer and closer to the 31st, he started to lighten up. By the time new year’s eve rolled around, we had a full house of friends, old and new, and it was a wonderful, special time. There was good food, good times, and joy all around. We were having fun watching the coverage of new year’s celebrations around the world on TV.
A couple of times during that day and evening, I can see Pop look at me from across the room, with a slight smile, and in just a way that said “thanks Tony, thanks for having me here”.
For midnight, the whole gang stood out on Duval Street, across from Sloppy Joe’s in a jam-packed street full of revelers to watch the ceremonial conch shell (ala the Times Square Ball) drop down from the roof of Sloppy Joe’s at the stroke of midnight. When midnight struck, we all exchanged hugs and kisses to ring in the new year. Pop hugged me in a way he hadn’t done in a long time, and said “I’m proud of you, son”.
That was a pretty nice new year.
Comment from: Paul & Linda s/v MIRAMAR [Visitor]
Hi Tony,
Just got an e-mail from Raf. He didn’t say where he was, but saw your name on his list so thought I’d get back in contact with you. We have been in the states for 6 months moving Paul’s mother into an assisted living home. Head back to the Rio in Feb then to the Bay Islands for 5 months. Hope to run into you over there. Until then, stay safe.
Comment from: Mick Barry [Visitor]
Happy New Year Tony. I’m in Austin but return to Cancun on Friday 6th. Looking forward to getting back on my boat this weekend.
Enjoy the adventure.
Cheers
Mick