My dear, darling, daughter,
Well, here we are, your 23rd birthday almost over. We've had an OK day, mostly just taking care of stuff, talking to friends, like that. Ashley and the girls left lovely messages for you on Facebook, I think Mom did too. I've been thinking about what I wanted to tell you, and really didn't come up with anything special, even though there's been a ton of things going on. So I' think I'll just catch you up on some family news, and let you go on to whatever you're up to now.
Saddest things first: some passings: Jamie, a dear friend of Sean's passed away just before Sean's birthday. He'd been mourning Sean since his death, kind of like you. Trying to get past the absence and I think it just caved in on him. He had called mom every year on Sean's birthday, and this year didn't call. We found out when BG (remember her?) called to let us know: we were on our way to pick up the new puppy, who we named Moe. A real furry bundle, he won't get to be as big as Oliver, but probably bigger than Bella. Who, by the way, is doing great. You really picked it well when you left her to Katherine: it's been a really wonderful thing to watch them grow together. Also, Jula, Paramo's mom, passed away Sunday. She was 95. I'll write some things about her in a few days. you only met her once in Zurich 7 years ago, but in her time she was a pistol. So that's the end of that side of the family, unless we have an unknown brother/sister. Which I wouldn't put past either of the Chiara men, but no-one has surfaced to date.
Happier is that James is getting married in October to, ready for this? Ashley. Yep, another Ashley for our fam. I haven't met her yet, but the reports are very good. :-)
Ana is almost done with 7th grade, and you'd be proud of her. She's had her struggles and has come through really well. She's got a couple of health issues, but we're looking out for her and the whole family is now on the South Beach diet and acting like we're going to be all fit and stuff. We'll see; we've had good intentions before. It may be that Ana keeps us on track, that girl has steel for her decisions.
Mom and I saw the doctor for our annuals today, and he's not terribly happy, but we've promised to eat better and exercise more (see above). Seriously, I want to be in good shape for Katherine's wedding, if and when. No, she's not engaged so don't panic, but sooner or later she'll find someone and I'd rather not be a blimp when that happens. Since I can't look forward to yours, and Ana's is very far away we hope, Kath's is next up as a goal.
I've missed you terribly. I cry sometimes, and wish I could howl like a coyote at the moon in pain. It feels like there were things that really only you could advise mom and me on, especially around Aliana and the Parmley girls. And the talks we had! God, I wish we could have one more. I've talked to the moon, hoping it would reach you, but no answer. So I think we're on our own. Which truly sucks. Ana is pissed at you! Whoo, boy. Seriously, that girl is scary sometimes.
You would have just finished your sophomore year at UMBC, if things had gone as planned, and Katherine would have graduated from TFA, and now what would you be doing? Looking to transfer to somewhere? Totally involved in college? I can't see, you were always unpredictable. It was simultaneously one of your best and worst traits.
We had dinner tonight with Rene and the kids (Charlie is out of town on a shoot), we went to an Argentinian restaurant. A real family meal, like you loved: all of us together, eating and having fun. You were such a family kid for as much as you wanted to also be on your own. Not at all like me at your age, really; I just wanted to get out of Dodge. You looked to the family to give you, I don't know, a good feeling for just being you, not something you had to work at or for. You were always so loved and wanted. Did you know that? I think you worried you weren't loved, and maybe weren't lovable. But you were, more than you'll ever know. And if sometimes we wanted to wring your neck, that was part of the package, too.
Well, it's Ana's bedtime, and she's already been to my office door (which I close when I write so I can not be interrupted by cat after dog after child), and so I think I have to go. I'll cry for you some more tonight, as will Mom, and then we'll sleep and get up and go on. The world is grayer without your light, my dear, but still it is a beautiful place, just like you wrote on your arm. take our love with you wherever you go, and always know that I have always and will always love you.
"I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
Sweet dreams, kiddo,
Dad
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
On The Occasion Of Alysia's 2nd Memorial Lunch
Gabrielle Bouliane:
"When you hear that I have died, think of this.
"Think of cool nights breezes while you walk to meet your friends for a beer on a Thursday. Think of waking up in flannel sheets on a snowy morning and kissing someone you love. Think of hung-over diner breakfasts and the best cup of coffee in the world. Think of the sound of tires on seamed highways while you travel, think of French kissing and leather jackets and push-up bras and bourbon, think of the joy of hard work with friends. Then think of me.
"Not sad, not the melancholy solitude of empty skies, but the full days and crowded bars and signed contracts, a smile too big for my face, remember I said I stay busy enough to fit three lives into one. When you hear that I have died, know that I want laughter, and dancing, real dancing, to music that makes you move with out thinking, you’re wearing boots and jeans and a great t-shirt and wondering if the girl at the edge thinks you’re cute. And you motherfuckers had best DANCE, none of this bullshit rock-nod hands-in-the-pockets shoegazer nonsense. No, make an ass out of yourself, feel your hips, kick off the high heels and sway on the shoulder of a stranger. When I die, you’d better be laughing your ass off on sidewalks, eating deliciously unhealthy food, drinking shots and tipping your bartender well no matter how much money you make.
"When you hear that I have died, the best thing you can do is to get laid that night with a comfortable stranger, use my story to get their sympathy, and when you kiss them for the first time, think of me then.
"When you hear that I have died, and you will, remember your best revenge is to live well, take risks, save up money and chase your perfect happiness. Beat the system and learn to make your art really support you, craft into something your audience can’t live without. Then make the world an even slightly better place ― stop throwing your cigarettes on the ground, vote in the next election, graffiti your life on the eyes of the hungry.
"Then just do me one last favor. Please. Love some thing. Anything. Start with your self, but find passion in everything, from an apple pie to a novel, make a family, get a degree, walk what ever path is yours with your chin up and feet planted firmly. Have the best stories to tell in the old folk’s home, about life long friendships and epic love affairs, about the time you lost every thing and yet found yourself happier than when you began.. and remember that time we got in SO much trouble...
"Poets, remember: This is the story that never ends. When one of us leaves, another walks through the door. The pages turn, the sun keeps rising. All you can do in the meanwhile...is to speak for yourself. Raise your voice high, tell your story, join hands against the dark and sing our souls to the sky. Know the best in me comes from the best in you, that as you tell your story, you will be telling mine, and our lives will be linked together for ever, and every one who hears you will become a part of the change we make.
"So when you hear that I have died...
"Think of cool nights breezes while you walk to meet your friends for a beer on a Thursday. Think of waking up in flannel sheets on a snowy morning and kissing someone you love. Think of hung-over diner breakfasts and the best cup of coffee in the world. Think of the sound of tires on seamed highways while you travel, think of French kissing and leather jackets and push-up bras and bourbon, think of the joy of hard work with friends. Then think of me.
"Not sad, not the melancholy solitude of empty skies, but the full days and crowded bars and signed contracts, a smile too big for my face, remember I said I stay busy enough to fit three lives into one. When you hear that I have died, know that I want laughter, and dancing, real dancing, to music that makes you move with out thinking, you’re wearing boots and jeans and a great t-shirt and wondering if the girl at the edge thinks you’re cute. And you motherfuckers had best DANCE, none of this bullshit rock-nod hands-in-the-pockets shoegazer nonsense. No, make an ass out of yourself, feel your hips, kick off the high heels and sway on the shoulder of a stranger. When I die, you’d better be laughing your ass off on sidewalks, eating deliciously unhealthy food, drinking shots and tipping your bartender well no matter how much money you make.
"When you hear that I have died, the best thing you can do is to get laid that night with a comfortable stranger, use my story to get their sympathy, and when you kiss them for the first time, think of me then.
"When you hear that I have died, and you will, remember your best revenge is to live well, take risks, save up money and chase your perfect happiness. Beat the system and learn to make your art really support you, craft into something your audience can’t live without. Then make the world an even slightly better place ― stop throwing your cigarettes on the ground, vote in the next election, graffiti your life on the eyes of the hungry.
"Then just do me one last favor. Please. Love some thing. Anything. Start with your self, but find passion in everything, from an apple pie to a novel, make a family, get a degree, walk what ever path is yours with your chin up and feet planted firmly. Have the best stories to tell in the old folk’s home, about life long friendships and epic love affairs, about the time you lost every thing and yet found yourself happier than when you began.. and remember that time we got in SO much trouble...
"Poets, remember: This is the story that never ends. When one of us leaves, another walks through the door. The pages turn, the sun keeps rising. All you can do in the meanwhile...is to speak for yourself. Raise your voice high, tell your story, join hands against the dark and sing our souls to the sky. Know the best in me comes from the best in you, that as you tell your story, you will be telling mine, and our lives will be linked together for ever, and every one who hears you will become a part of the change we make.
"So when you hear that I have died...
just …live.
Monday, January 3, 2011
On being a sweethearted person, and touching lives
At Alysia's memorial, we gave out rubber bracelets, in rainbow colors, with her name, dates and the words "Strive To Be Happy" surrounded by paw prints. Each part had a meaning: The rainbow of GLBT; the paws of Bella, her adored mutt (a be-wowa); the quote from Desiderata.
One of Alysia's close friends, Ashley, lost her bracelet. It was knocked out of her car, near where her boyfriend lives near Santa Monica. Ashley was very upset, we didn't know anything about it at that time.
A couple of days later, we got a phone call from the folks who made the bracelets: wristbands.com. Specifically, Shirley, who had worked with me to get them just the way we wanted them, which took some time, and then had to be rushed, etc. Shirley had made a very hard job easier, with her manner and compassion, and when we were done had wished us well, and that she would hold us in her heart and prayers. I never expected to hear from her again, but here she was on the phone, asking if we had lost a bracelet, and, if we had, did we want the phone number of the person who had found it?
We couldn't say yes fast enough, and Shirley gave me the name: Darrel Marsh. Now, before I go on, I have to tell you that wristbands.com is not a little place. For Darrel to call in and get the ONE person who not only knew about the wristbands, but how to get in touch with us, was nothing short of fantastic.
It turns out that Darrel had found the bracelet in the street, and recognizing it for a memorial, had read Alysia's name, counted the dates and recognized the rainbow, and wanted to return it to its rightful owner. When we found out where she found it, we called Ashley and she fessed up, and so soon after, she got her bracelet back.
The chain of coincidence here is long enough that I'm tempted to use the word "fate", or "God". In any case, this part of the story is now finished, with the letter that came today from Darrel, saying in part, "Thank you for sending me a bracelet, which I will cherish as a reminder of how easy it is to be kind and thoughtful of others, and how very short life really is."
Darrel and Shirley, you have no idea how much you touched our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Longer Video
This one was going to go up on you-tube, but there was a little issue with the music. Oh well.
Anyway, this is the full-length version that we played at the memorial.
Stay well, peeps.
Alysia Long Memorial Video
Anyway, this is the full-length version that we played at the memorial.
Stay well, peeps.
Alysia Long Memorial Video
Getting started
Hello, all.
Well, I finally got my stuff together to start this. Eventually, I'll put up a ton of stuff about Alysia, her writing, photos, poetry and such. I've begun work on a new video which pulls from early family video as well as later stills and maybe some voice, depending on what I can deal with. Feel free to comment, or send me stuff to put up. I'm going to move/copy (eventually) the few things from Johnny's Garage over here, so this will be the permanent place for all things Leeshie.
To start with, here's a link to the short memorial video. I will put up the long one too, but there is a lot of overlap. And I am working on editing the video of the memorial itself, but I can only do it a little at a time.
Alysia Short Memorial Video
Love to all.
Well, I finally got my stuff together to start this. Eventually, I'll put up a ton of stuff about Alysia, her writing, photos, poetry and such. I've begun work on a new video which pulls from early family video as well as later stills and maybe some voice, depending on what I can deal with. Feel free to comment, or send me stuff to put up. I'm going to move/copy (eventually) the few things from Johnny's Garage over here, so this will be the permanent place for all things Leeshie.
To start with, here's a link to the short memorial video. I will put up the long one too, but there is a lot of overlap. And I am working on editing the video of the memorial itself, but I can only do it a little at a time.
Alysia Short Memorial Video
Love to all.
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