Zoo

Tyler's memorial service and reception were, as expected, incredibly sad--but also a testament to how many people he affected in such a short period of time. Including the staff at the zoo he worked at, and had decided was where he wanted to work, permanently. (The animal bug is strong in my family.) The zoo hosted a reception, with hot and cold food and drinks and desserts. And we were all free to wander the grounds.

Can I just say that in the future, all funeral receptions should be held at zoos? I ate with my family, then walked, while the sun set, and watched animals: a jaguar lolling in and nibbling on the grass, a lion and lioness napping, two tigers-one a Siberian-playing like kittens. There was a baby giraffe, lots of birds and monkeys, a camel, capybaras. I passed by Tyler's sister, who is in high school, a couple of times. She had a big posse of girlfriends with her, which I was glad to see, because she's going to need them. Her eulogy at the memorial service was beautiful, and eloquent beyond her years.

Later, I hugged Tyler's parents and, as I turned to leave, his dad said "Remember the guy who sang?" (A ponytailed fiftysomething fellow gave an...interesting melodical rendition of the Lord's Prayer, a cappella, before dinner was served)

"Yes," I said.

"I'm fixing you up with him."

RIP, Ty.