Bitch? Beach? Bastard? Beautiful? All of them and more. Sometimes, it really sucks. Others, it's worth any pain. On February 13, 2011, it surely sucked (and for that matter, also the four months before this date, since Elizabeth was first mis-dagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, and then died of brain tumor). Her husband, who happens to be my son Daniele, and 19 month-old Isabella were left alone and devastated enough. They surely did not need the aggravation of the financial problems caused by accumulation of medical bills, denial of the loan modification for the mortgage on their house and Daniele's teacher income reduction because of the recent cuts to the education budget in California.
But here comes the better part (there is ALWAYS one). In the following weeks, MANY friends have offered their terrific support. Cooking, babysitting, visiting, listening, comforting,cleaning the house, donating money, toys, baby clothes...you name it. Then there was Melinda's idea, to do the same we did when her dogs needed urgent veterinarian attention and the bills were skyrocketing. It meant to get all together and organize a benefit sale, all the proceeds going for the cause. For the dogs, we did a yard sale spreading tables across the driveway in front of her house, the closest one to mine. This time, we have been so lucky to receive help from Willard Ford, friend of Daniele, co-owner of Ford & Ching, who offered his showroom in Chinatown, 722 Figueroa, to host the event.
The date is 30 April, the time is 11 am to 5 pm. Come in a party mood. We will celebrate Elizabeth's life, as beautiful as she had it to the end. We will not talk about death, illness or tragedy, only of what's good to come because, even in tragedy, one should remember the good and focus on the best.There will be music, food, drinks and plenty of cool stuff to take home for a donation. Donations can also be sent directly to Daniele's paypal account: go to paypal.com and enter "bodhi1974@yahoo.com" as the receiver.
Meanwhile, I thank you all for everything you already did. In the end, love & friendship is all there is. And it isn't small things.
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