We had an indoor picnic (it was raining a little bit) yesterday with Uncle Mike, Aunt Kay and the Portland elders. I made corn muffins in hopes of starting a dialog with a political opponent. Funny, my corn muffin seemed to have nothing to say on current political, religious, or economic topics. My corn muffin did not incite violence of any kind.
I no longer judge all corn muffins based on the character in your short films. I see that corn muffins have as many views on life as tortillas, donuts, or bagels.
Your memories and your work still generate smiles.
BTW...Your new cousin Mia turned one on Friday. She shares a birthday with your grandmother.
Dad
Ithaca, NY, 08.22.2010
Hi Jay,
They told us you were gone 20 months ago. But in many ways, you are still with us. No day goes by without a Jay moment, a Jay thought, or of a Jay memory. You are a constant. Always have been, and always will be.
Love an miss you,
Dad
Smell
LA, 08.21.2010
Brett! The girl in the gold and navy uniform at the very beginning is wearing the uniform of my club team growing up- TopHat! Haha!
Brett
Santa Monica, 08.19.2010
So I started playing soccer with some friends in Griffith Park, and I wanted to get better. I found this video, and knew you would love it for two reasons: me watching soccer videos to get better, and the fact that the video is a dude with a thick British (Welsh?) accent teaching soccer moves to a bunch of Asian kids. Who are awesome.
Dooode. Smell's double rainbow video is amazing! I want to be watching it with you, or even better, just watching you watch it to enjoy your reaction. Thinking about you lots. D and I tied the knot. You were greatly missed. We did our best to honor you with a group dance that included pelvic thrusts, cleavage shaking, fist pumps and breakdancing. I think you would have liked it. Also finally had drinks with Nick the other day in DC. Super cool. Nice to catch up and hear more about the field dedication. Now enjoying a lazy day at home. Less busy days are nice but harder at the same time. Miss you tons but you are always here with us -- there's no way I could watch the double rainbow video without you.
Its been a very long day.....your Mom and I have a word for it, I had a "Jay Day". These are the days when you occupy our thoughts, and the memories become, brighter, more vivid, and yet they can resurface the dull pain of loss. Some of this, however, is softened by Noah's 2nd birthday...he's a really cue little kid, and I happy that you got to meet him.
19 months and counting. I so miss knowing you are there.
Love you Jay,
Dad
Smelly
LA, 07.21.2010
No doubt this would have been an all-time favorite.
18 months now. So short a time, yet an eternity. You continue to be in our thoughts and are so missed. The dedication of the James Joseph Kaplan Field was a touching, uplifting, and moving experience for me. You left a life time of memories for the people you touched in the short time you had. You are missed by many.
