Celebration of a Life Well Lived

On Saturday, children (of all ages) celebrated Zachary and New Orleans life.

My Zach Zach provided the occasion and his classmates the context for celebration.

Steven the Bubble Man brought magic to the green space behind the Tate, Etienne, and Prevost, Center in the Lower Ninth Ward. The kids were engaged for hours, string and poles in hand, mesmerized by their own bubble making.

I was busy - receiving hugs, shared memories and well wishes; watching kids blow bubbles, toss frisbees and hoard balloons; getting chairs for elders; delegating, directing, facilitating - but I didn’t get a frozen cup. There were fifty and James, Zach’s 10 year old brother, had three because he wanted to sample the red, yellow and blue flavors. As one mom failed frustratedly - to convince her daughter that “icebergs” were a wonderful summer memory from her childhood, “it’s like a snowball but not,” she stopped arguing and said “Just eat it!” It only took one lick across a cold, red, syrupy surface and joy radiated from the child’s face. The elders already knew. I don’t know who made the outdoor delivery, but I saw the evidence of what had transpired in the red streak down the front of my father’s blue oxford button down shirt. My father is blind, but he had had a frozen cup. Mrs. Boseman displayed old school technique, her pineapple huckabuck flipped over in its plastic cup as she spooned flavored ice crystals from the less resistant center of the bottom.

The elders and children ate first. All was right in the world.

Inside Jonesy spun the wheel for Twister, Octarve and Stephanie engaged in intense competition over a game of Trouble, and kids gathered bouquets of purple, orange and white balloons - their strings dangling from the ceiling.

The TEP Center provided the space and vegetarian red beans and rice; Turkey & the Wolf did wings; WhoDat Cafe, well Craig, donated angus beef burgers. James Williams loaned his grill, again. Elder Martaz Lynch transported the grill, and picked up charcoal and lighter fluid. Jim started the fire but wasn’t allowed to grill because he doesn’t eat meat. Our nephew Scott thought that, that was a job to be handled by a carnivore. Annette Hollowell brought cupcakes. Hynes UNO parents brought drinks and bought chips, buns and condiments. The Historic New Orleans Collection provided support to the TEP Center towards costs of hosting the event.

Folks inhaled the food. I won’t name names but some adults returned to the table for seconds and thirds!

Little Miss Ruthie made multiple cameo appearances in the main auditorium: as white balloon herder, Frito Lay connisseuse and Cheeto gourmande who couldn’t reach the box, and the kid who couldn’t find her Momma. In my role as director of lost and found, one of the guests brought her to me. This third time, she pouted as she gazed up at me with her full brown eyes. After speaking her mother’s name, I had earned her trust. I offered my hand and guided her back to safety.

Kamari Patrick led reflective activities in the Memory Gallery. Alonda the Artist painted faces and while Niyah Magee introduced children to Sage, her bearded dragon, her friends Morgan and Rocki handled temporary tattoos.

Universal Printing did the posters, obituaries, and photos. Faye Stroder and BeMike shared art supplies with us. Guardians of the Flame supported our book giveaway, as they have over the last 20 years. Laron Mathieu provided videography. The balloons were from Party Stop, across from RTA on Canal.

Mama Herreast Harrison came; and while I didn’t see it myself, she may have had a frozen cup outside with the elders circle. Guardians’ Queen Reesie Collective led the audience in chanting “Golden crown, golden crown, my friend Zach got a golden crown!” Cassie Watson Francillon on harp, Max Moran on bass, Gladney (the eldest son) on tenor sax and Jafet Perez on djembe brought our celebration to a close with Grover Washington’s Mister Magic and the obligatory bus stop.

Family and friends arrived from all over the country to attend the event. Everyone had a good time. People had fun and were happy together. They were thankful that we held this community event.

I had shared my vision with the team - Gladney #1, #2, #3, Jim and Kristiana - over dinner from 1000 Figs. Cherice made a brief appearance too. They brainstormed and reached out to their networks for additional support. And it all miraculously appeared! After the event, we cleaned up, thanked Miss Tate, and went to Landry’s on the Lakefront for our debrief, the sunset and a sigh of relief.

Propelled by collective joy, Zachary’s community had given him a great send off to his next adventure in the next, or the next galaxy.