exactly as it should have been

[thoreau]

I attended the celebration of the life of Jim Daniels today.

I honestly - have an absolute dislike for such things... I tend to like to do my remembering and such in private. But - as with the other folks in the room there today - and friends on LJ that could not be there that I took with me - Jim had a profound affect on people. So - I put on my coat and went despite my misgivings about it.

Jack qbear was the perfect opener to talks about Jim from Jim's father, a traveling bear, a coworker, and a beautiful reading of Dr. Seuss by Dave Cobb e_ticket. There were slideshows showing all the different wonderful places he'd traveled to - as the room was filled with many of the people Jim had helped inspire. Dave also put together a hysterical 5-minute short of Jims favorite movies and films - with everything from "Auntie Mame" (which everyone talked along with) to Futurama to Casablanca to The Fifth Element to The Family Guy. (its time for a sexy party!)

95% of Jim and I's time was here on livejournal or via long uberlengthy emails.

He was a rock solid confidant when I was working in Idaho politics. He helped me draft my testimony in front of the Idaho Senate - telling me how - something I'd improvise on the spot - would be my strongest statement. He was right. He helped me through the second-thoughts I'd had about purchasing a home in Idaho. He said it would help me be a stronger person by myself. He was right. He was patient, thoughtful - and 99.9% - always right. I'm going to miss his calm (sometimes impatient with my impatience) voice in my life a great deal.

I remember writing Jim when I'd decided to move to San Francisco - how excited we were that we'd actually get to live in the same city - and hang out over lunches and talk about things. We only managed to do that a handful of times. He soon surrounded himself with closer friends and of course, Ray and his family.. and made that last journey.

Right down to the pile of bacon, krispy kremes, and corndogs served by kitchenbeard afterwards - today's celebration was precisely what Jim would have wanted. I even got the great (albeit way too brief) pleasure of meeting nlotic and his partner Mark. (and despite press reports otherwise, I think he is perfectly sized; he and Mark are just adorable³)

As I was leaving - I talked with Ray for a moment. He told me that one of the pictures in the slide show that was running was a shot of Jim and Satine. (The ex's puppy) We talked about how Ray and I visiting SFAI and him taking Satine down to Jim and saying "Look I got you a puppy!" - and how much Jim had loved seeing the four of us (Rick, Me, Kate and Satine) walk by his apartment while he was sick. It was a great moment - the four of walking by there and Jim screaming out the window "Hello Satine!" - LOL. It was a fine memory to head to Miss Kate with......

All said? It was exactly as it should have been.

Thank you Jim - for everything.

Comments

[budmassey.livejournal.com]

Such a beautiful and personal remembrance is far too intimate for me to make any meaningful comment on, except that I am so amazed by the quality of people you surround yourself with.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you were there to witness the tribute, possible misgivings or not. My interaction with Jim was limited, but meaningful ... just one in-person meeting, a memorable lunch in Minneapolis on one of his last trips. I'm a bit teary-eyed reading this post ... just remembering all over again how precious life is .. how short it can be ... I'm delighted you got to meet Lee and Mark. They are two of the reasons I've so strongly considered a move to the Twin Cities.

Hugs ...

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

Robert - thank you for posting and sharing this. I know Jim & Ray only by the one degree of separation ... but that is with many, many men I love and respect. It sounds like his memory was well-regarded and respected!

[mh58.livejournal.com]

And I must thank you for introducing Jim to me. While I never took the time to get to know him more (my loss for sure) I did get a very wonderful glimpse into his life at the memorial.

[transmodal.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was very touching. Since I am a brand new fried I did not know Jim, but I can tell the quality of a man he must have been by the way you have described him... not to mention that he was a man who would have wanted all his friend to celebrate his life by sharing some bacon. Wow!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

it was (i think) the most touching memorial I've ever been to. People flying in from all over - and sharing lots of photos - and montages... it was pretty wonderful.

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful account of the event, Robert - thank you for sharing it. I never knew Jim, but seeing him reflected this way through your special prism of affection and memory seems a meaningful tribute to a person who has touched many lives so warmly.

[nlotic.livejournal.com]

It was our pleasure to finally met you Bob! Sorry, we didn't get a chance to do lunch today...maybe next time.