The New Year is here — A "Celebration of Life Party" is on the horizon

The New Year brings with it the realization that it's also a "New Year" for me as well. A new year of going it alone, with memories, family and friends as my only companions. Not that it isn't helpful, but it's not quite the same, and I mean no disrespect to anyone with that statement, but I also feel fairly sure that people will understand where I'm coming from. The majority of our friends are through the San Francisco Pool Association (SFPA), a team-oriented 8-ball league that I discovered the summer of 1983, after we had moved here. I had three seasons under my belt before Dennis got the "pool bug" and wanted to join the league too. He and another friend of ours, Donna, joined our team in February 1985. The SFPA is affiliated with like-leagues in Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach. Every six months, in January and July, each city on a rotating basis, hosts an event called West Coast Challenge (WCC). The team champions, individual champs, women champs, and a Hi-Lo team from each city compete at the WCC. As it turned out, it was the SFPA's turn to host the event. I approached the board about using the WCC space they had rented for a "Celebration of Life Party" for Dennis on Friday night, after the WCC's pool matches were over. They agreed immediately, and I set in motion the planning for the party.

I met with the hotel's event coordinator, chose the food that would be served, had her extend the bartender's hours so that I could have a cash bar available. The SFPA informed me that they would cover the cost of the bartender because they wanted to help out in whatever way they could. I was overwhelmed and very appreciative. Previously, our friend Lisa Duncan had told me that her dad had left her some money and she wanted to use some of it in helping me pay for the party so once the bill came in a month later, she was true to her word and sent me a check for 50% of the bill.

Much to my surprise, right before the party was to start, I was told that Doug Robertson, friend and former teammate, was going to be available to do the filming of interviews for people who wanted to make video statements instead of written ones in the "memory book" that I had provided. I also had made up a tri-fold event presentation board, mounted numerous photos on it, along with some of his pool trophies alongside to make up a display that was visible as soon as you entered the doorway. I should mention at this point that the party was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Whitcomb, a famous hotel in San Francisco. It has been through many name changes over the years, but that's what it's called at the moment. It is a very ornate room, with a mezzanine around the upper rim where you can usually stand and watch all the action being played out on the eight pool tables brought in the for the event. But unfortunately, that area was closed to traffic (the first time it hadn't been available and we've been holding the WCC here for many years now).

During the evening, somewhere between 75-100 people showed up to honor Dennis. The air was electric, everyone had smiles on their faces, tales were told, strangers were encouraged to just walk up to someone, introduce themselves, say how they knew Dennis and the rest would take care of itself. It certainly appeared that everyone was having a grand time. I barely had time to mingle; I was caught at the entrance because people just kept coming in. It was wonderful. I had worn one of Dennis's favorite purple shirts, his purple Izod style pullover. I felt like he was hugging me all evening long. I forgot to mention up the page a ways, that Doug is not only a friend and former teammate, he is also a filmmaker. That's why I was so stunned when I was informed that he would be doing the DVD. The DVD is now a reality. As soon as I figure out how to upload it, I will and then you should be able to view it right here. Here's the link:

http://www.vimeo.com/22541760

Once it's here, I hope you enjoy it. Let me tell you a little about it. There's some soundtrack, there's the interviews with over 30 of our friends and coworkers, there are still photos mixed in between the interviews. It's really wonderful. The first thing you will hear is the first few notes of "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix, Dennis's favorite Hendrix song. The song continues throughout the scrolling obituary and works perfectly as a backdrop song. Listen to the words and see if you agree. Later on there's a photo montage of Dennis and I throughout the years, with "Walking on the Moon" by the Police playing in the background. I've told this story in a previous post, but it's worth repeating. Right after we became partners in September 1980, this song came on the radio and Dennis grabbed me from behind in a hug. "Do you know why I like this song so much?" he asked.

"No, why?"

"Because it's how I've felt ever since I've met you."

I know, awww. That's one of the reasons I loved him so much...still do. The next song you will hear is "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of Dennis's favorite artists. It's the background of photos from Dennis's childhood through the weekend family reunion we had in September 2010. "Walking on the Moon" is heard at the end of the DVD as well. I know you will not know a lot of the people (depending on who's viewing), but it's a very powerful display of human emotion and great memories of a wonderful man.