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SINGLE SERVING FRIEND

Tyler, you are by far the most interesting single-serving friend I’ve ever met… see, I have this thing: Everything on a plane is single-serving…

Oh I get it, it’s very clever.

Thank you.

How’s that working out for you?

What?

Being clever.

Great.
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I’m posted up near a window, sipping a screwdriver in the Admirals Lounge at JFK. My bag is packed strategically such that I was able to walk right through security without a single hitch.

It’s been a few weeks since I have inhaled recycled air at 30,000 feet and, quite frankly, I am looking forward to it. I like airports… let me rephrase that: I LOVE airports. I love the fact that we figured out somewhere along the way how to chuck thousands of pounds of aluminum and steel into the air and are able to arrive somewhere thousands of miles away in a couple of hours. I love when you land at an airport that doesn’t have a jet bridge, and the door opens, and the mixture of jet fuel and crisp cold air or hot humidity rush into the cabin and immediately signals that you have arrived.

I’m on my way to Playa del Carmen via Cancun, heading to Ray and Victoria’s wedding. This wedding, in particular, holds tremendous meaning to me. First, it’s Ray and Victoria… I mean, the fact that Ray could actually find a girl to put up with his antics is absolutely amazing. A big piece of this was how much Ray cared about David and the bond that has been formed among me, David, and Ray. While it wasn’t every night we were able to go out, when we did the hangover would last at least 72 hours.

Things that could possibly end up happening included waking up in bed with four people (no shenanigans, Victoria, I promise) and little-to-no recollection of how you got there and also finding a police barrier in your bedroom.

Other things that were guaranteed to happen was a slap contest in which David and Ray would slap each other in the face as hard as they could. This would progress throughout the night.

Ray was in the room with me one of the times David attempted to kill himself, and we both took the ambulance to the hospital that night—the three of us trying to get through this together.

On October 15th, Ray’s world was rocked in two ways: First, he proposed to his lovely wife-to-be, and she actually said yes. The second was that he found out shortly thereafter that David took his own life earlier that day.

I remember calling Ray on Saturday. The details of the conversation are somewhat foggy… I had no idea he was proposing, but he said that he told David a day or two earlier. That floored me…

How the greatest day could also be the worst amongst people who were so connected.

I was angry at David for that. I still am. While I can’t expect that he was thinking about Ray when he did what he did, I still shake my head in frustration and confusion at yet another reason for David to keep on living.

I’ve seen Ray only a few times since. We all get busy, and life gets in the way of so many things. But when we do, it’s still the same fun… just 1/3rd less intensity and 50% less slap fights. Although we do now have to give at least one slap in the face in honor of those who are not here to slap.

I’ve gone off track a bit, so back to Ray and why this trip is important: When I started the foundation, Ray—unbeknownst to me—was drumming up a lot of support. Be it helping with getting people to order ties, making donations, or generally just being the great guy that he is.

Then I catch wind that he is pestering Alan Cohen to include the foundation in OMD’s annual charitable contribution to a not-for-profit. And what do you know, Ray gets on D’Asaro, who gets on Mickler, who gets on the countless other people in OMD, and all of a sudden LIPF is getting a donation from OMD alongside the Ronald McDonald House.

But it didn’t stop there. When Ray decided to marry Victoria, they honored David by forgoing wedding favors and making a donation to the Foundation instead.

I am always in awe of Ray. He is the very definition of a father: Listening to him talk to his daughter on the phone is literally something I could make a favorite pastime. His mannerisms always draw a smile out of even the sternest faces. And no matter how much time has passed when you get back together, it is as if not a minute has passed since the last time.

This wedding is special to me because the two people getting married were so very special to David. The only thing missing on this trip is my co-pilot in life who should be sitting here with me in the Admiral’s Lounge.

To Ray and Victoria: I wish you the most successful marriage a couple can have. Ray, I cannot thank you enough for being the friend you were to David and for continuing to support me, the Foundation, the people around me. Here’s to you, buddy! I’ll see you in a few hours, and we’ll be sure to make the hotel wish it wasn’t ALL-INCLUSIVE…

Ditto?
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