The Hairy Crab Invitational

 The Caldwell Cup   

Will Caldwell

1962-2007

On a cold, snowy day, people from all over the world gathered to say good bye to a fallen friend.

 Eventually, 500 people filled the Grace Church in Brooklyn. We were drawn by the warm feelings towards our friend now gone, by the shock of a young life lost, by the concern for younger lives set to turmoil, and by this immediate reminder of the fragile nature of life itself.

Priscilla offered a eulogy--a love letter to her children and to her soul mate. It was an exclamation that the grief could be overcome. It was an act that defied fear and defined grace. She was poised and thoughtful--an inspiration.

Later, a reception turned a solemn event into the sort of party that Will would have enjoyed. People talking, laughing, telling stories. The only thing missing from the party was the man himself. A photo anthology of his life showed a happy boy, a partying fool, a contented Dad. In all the photos, the most striking thing was how young he always looked.

At the beautiful town house, the mood had become as jovial as it could. People remembered good times gone by. It was loud and messy.

Even later, in Will’s favorite restaurant, friends gathered for what became a fraternity party. There was none of the accoutrement of our youth: there was less hair, there were wider bellies and there was a little less of the innocent sparkle of our youth. But there was a lot of laughter, a lot of stories, a lot of good shit. It was just as it should be. He was there; yet his absence left a hole.

The night went on. The party spilled into the next day. The healing process had begun.

Back at the house, there were Will’s two beautiful girls--the challenges before them both frightening and inevitable.

There was Bill Caldwell and Kit and Danny—4 boys, now three.

There was the loving and nurturing family and the caring friends, trying, in earnest, to be helpful.

And, always, there was Priscilla: Her grit and her tears and her smile ready to carry the day.

And then a bright sun shining in a clear blue sky arose the next morning.

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