We went with a bit of fear and trepidation, and it wasn’t just that it was blowing a gale and obliterating all visibility with sheets of rain on our windshield.  We had mixed emotions about this party that Jimella was throwing for herself while she still had the strength to do it.  And we weren’t the only ones to feel that way.  We’d heard the buzz.

In this small community, we’ve all been to funerals and memorial services and celebrations of life but, in every case that I can think of, they were held in honor of the dearly departed.  Their purpose was to bolster and sustain those left behind.  Jimella is still very much with us, although we are all aware that she is nearing her final journey.  This was a new spin on a Celebration of Life.

A Collage of Memories

So, it was with many mixed emotions that several hundred (SRO at the Senior Center which ‘holds’ 140) of us came together yesterday to share our love and our memories.  It was a group that spanned all ages – from the daughter of Jimella’s Godson, who couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old, to 97-year-old Pete Hanner who sang Jimella a love song and brought us all to tears.

Of course, there was food.  We were asked to bring ‘finger foods’ but the offerings stretched that concept beyond all meaning.  Fortunately for the macaroni salads and cheesecakes and other delicacies that needed utensils, forks were provided.  As might be expected, people had outdone themselves.  After all, we were honoring Jimella, role model to generations of professional chefs!

Jimella

And there were bouquets and bouquets and bouquets.  We each brought a flower for a “community bouquet” but there must not have been a vase big enough.  Smaller containers filled a table and then some, providing a colorful bit of cheer to an otherwise drab and dreary day.  Dreary outside only, though.  Indoors, the atmosphere was positive and sustaining.

There was music by Spud Siegel and David “Crabbo” Crabtree who go back to the earliest days at the Ark and maybe before that.   They were joined by Susie McLerie and, later, by another woman I recognized but didn’t know by name.  They played and sang the old familiar tunes from the days in the Ark Bar and the Sunday brunches.

Standing Room Only

In one corner there was a video set up by Mick Alderman of 2001 Productions in Astoria.  Matt Winters, in his inimitable low-key fashion, interviewed those who wanted to be filmed for a video to be given to Jimella.

In another area, emcees Mark Murray and Melinda Williams (who were fabulous!) encouraged people to step up front and share a Jimella Memory or two. So many eloquent speakers!  So many wonderful stories about the ways that Jimella has made a difference!  So much laughter!  So much applause!  It was a powerful expression of love and support.  I didn’t even notice when that earlier’ trepidation’ I’d been feeling disappeared.

Somewhere along the line the skies cleared and the sun came out – an unexpected ending to a surprisingly joyful afternoon.  Once more, Jimella knew just the right combination to feed not only our bellies, but our hearts and souls as well.  Godspeed, Jimella, and thank you!