One of the "3-timers" is gone

It was a very sad day last week when I received the news from my Dad that his longtime friend and shipmate Jim Seminara had passed away two weeks after suffering a stroke.


His death reminded me of a day in my life a little over 5 years ago. I had just married my wife Kim, and as we were standing outside the reception hall, waiting to be introduced, I told my best man Steve Guerra that I had an idea.

It was time for the best man's toast. Steve spoke into the microphone and asked if, before he gave his toast, he could have the following people please stand up to be recognized.

"David & Peggy Little." They stood, somewhat confused.
"Mr. & Mrs. Seminara." They stood and waved.
"My wife, Colleen Guerra." She stood up, not sure what was going on.

Steve then asked the people at the reception to take a good look at the people standing up.

"Take a look at 'em folks. These are what we call the "3-timers".......they've been to all 3 of Jeff's weddings."



It was a funny joke and it lead to a great evening. But the Seminara's HAD been to every one of my weddings.
I've literally known them and their whole family my whole life. They were stationed in Japan with my father when I showed up all the way back in 1961 (eek!). My father had known "Big Jim" since around 1949. Heck, he knew him before he met my mother! They were, to quote an old song: "Twin sons of different mothers".
They were as close as brothers and their respective family's were also.

And so this past weekend, I made my way up to Orlando along with my brother and sister to pay our final respects to Big Jim. They had a very nice Catholic mass for him, and afterwards there was a burial befitting a former Naval officer complete with a 21 gun salute and the presentation of the American flag to his widow. I watched and listened as his three sons tried bravely not to show how sad they were. I watched and listened as my parents struggled to keep their composure. I know it was particularly hard on my father to say goodbye to his best friend of almost 60 years. It was very moving and emotional. And afterwards, his family invited everyone back to the Elks Lodge for a party...a tribute to their father and husband. I guess because that's what he would've wanted. Food and drinks flowed as everyone recalled their favorite story about Big Jim. I recalled a story he told me at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary about how he & my father used to have a friendly wager whenever they golfed.
It was a good time. Just like Jim would've wanted. And near the end of the day, his seven grandchildren went outside with their grandmother and made a circle around her. And then those seven grandchildren each released a balloon into the air and all shouted out:

"Goodbye Grandpa! We love you!"

And I suppose a man couldn't have asked for a better sendoff than that. You see, "Big Jim" wasn't called that because he was a tall man or a large man.....he was called that because everyone could see what a big, big heart he had.

Big Jim....we'll miss ya.


Later,
Jeff