A Blessing

Last night, Susan and I were honored to be amongst the guests at a surprise 80th birthday party for a dear friend and mentor. As he and his wife and another couple entered the magnificent dining room-- the "pool room"-- of the Four Seasons restaurant, which had been reserved for the occasion, his assembled family and friends on the alcove above delighted in his genuine surprise and pleasure. In due course, making his way from friend to friend, he came to Susan and me. I got the sense that he might have been particularly surprised to see me there, given my recent travails. We hugged, and he said, "If only I were God." My eyes moistened.