First of all, my apologies to those of you who have learned to look for the next chapter first thing Saturday morning.
When I introduced the character of Rabbi Mendel, I said that I am not Jewish, and I am not. But my brother-in-law is, while my sister and I were both raised Catholic. Their wedding was an interfaith ceremony, and they agreed to raise their children Jewish. And they do. Sort of. As one example, they celebrate both December holidays, although they celebrate Christmas more in the secular sense.
This morning, however, was my nephew's bar mitzvah. And while I couldn't attend in person, I was blessed to be able to watch a livestream of it, which is where I was instead of posting Chapter 8.
Congratulations and mazel tov, BDM.
Those who know, know that the Harry Chapin concert wasn't over until the cellist sang "Circle." Although the song first came to the public consciousness when it was covered by the New Seekers, Harry had written it for "Make a Wish," his brother Tom's children's show. I had a chance to see Steve and the surviving members of the band a couple of years ago, and that's still how every Chapin concert ends. It therefore seemed appropriate to bring it into the narrative here, hence the shape of the brooch given to Annie.
Several of Harry Chapin's songs have been covered by others - the most notable one, of course, being "Cat's In the Cradle." There are only two covers that I deem superior to the original version. One of them - not referenced in this chapter, but this is a good place to mention it - is Pat Benatar's cover of "Shooting Star." I have always wished she would have released this as a single, although I believe this recording is on one of her greatest-hits albums.
The other was a song that Harry had apparently written with the intent that Big John would sing it in concert. He had recorded it shortly before his death, but most of the fans were introduced to it during a tribute concert on what would have been his 45th birthday.
Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I am a race walker, although I've not been in an actual event since 2019. A car accident took me out of action for a while... then COVID... then a knee replacement... then back issues. But the song in question, "Last Stand," is still on my playlist for when I go to the gym, or go walking, and it's the song referenced in Lydia's toast to Annie.
I have decided that I will end the story here and post the epilogue separately, so that it isn't left unresolved should this take longer than anticipated. But watch this space for an announcement of when it will be posted.