PANTS ON THE GROUND

All my life, I never liked attending weddings or funerals. To me, both are ceremonies in which the main participants are indicating ... "I give up. I can't go on living".

Also, with funerals, I know how they will end. There is no exception.

Most of the weddings I have attended, the couples are no longer together. I think I bring them bad luck. They shouldn't have invited me.

This past week I changed my personal feelings regarding funerals & "viewings", and attended both for my friend & former co-worker -- Carlton King. Being me, I had a lot of apprehension in my preparation to go.

For one thing ... none of my old "dress pants" fit anymore. I'm a size 34 waist in 38 pants. Yes ... I've lost a bit of weight. About 40 pounds. I really had to pull the belt tight to keep the pants up ... once I found a decent size belt !!

I didn't want to end up looking like some "Rapper" ... with my pants hanging down & my underwear showing. That's not a look I want to go with.

When I went to the church Sunday night -- for the "viewing" -- I wore a shirt outside my pants. It was easier to hide the scrunched up look to my pants, dressing that way. Monday -- at the funeral service ... a Catholic Mass, which required a lot of up & down action from even the non-Catholics like me -- I had to be careful of "pant slippage" as the belt was not quite as tight as the night before, since the shirt I wore was "tucked".

A whole lot of people knew & liked Carlton. He had a lot of friends who came to honor his life & pay their respects. Many like me, were folks from his days working at Maybelline.

I saw & spoke with many people I have not seen or talked to in years. [I left the company in December, 2003.] Lots of changes to people; be it hair color or pounds applied. I actually received several hugs from people I couldn't remember. I guess they knew me.

One person who I did recognize right off, was my friend, Bubba. He drove from Springville, Tennessee on Sunday & I was surprised to see him arrive that night at the church. I didn't know he was coming. Just another example of how Carlton was held in regard by many people.

After the funeral service, Bubba & me were joined for lunch with another friend, Kelly. We had a fun time retelling Carlton "stories" & remembering the many good times we had working with Carlton. We also threw in stories & tales of other co-workers & former bosses ... just to keep the laughs coming.

I was sad to see my friend Bubba go. I miss having him in my daily life ... in person. He's so good natured & easy to mock. Oh, occasionally he'll get in a zinger or two at me, which is part of the fun & enjoyment of being around Bubba.

I was glad to get home & change into my usual clothing -- shorts & a T-shirt. I was also thankful the pants I wore stayed up & never hit the ground.