Mary and I met by phone after she lost her husband Mike and I lost my brother Johnny both from Covid. New York was one of the worst affected states for Coronavirus at the start of the pandemic that tragically impacted Mike and Johnny. Horrific deaths during horrific times. We were shocked from such sudden and unexpected deaths of our loved ones. We wonder if we will ever really heal but we are trying our best with our grieving process.

Mary lives less than 10 minutes from my house. Mike grew up in the same town on Long Island that Johnny and I grew up in. Then Mary told me how much Mike, just as Johnny, loved the Triple Crown — a series of horse races consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Mike and Johnny very often went to both the Belmont Racetrack and the Belmont Stakes. Mike brought Mary many times and I went with Johnny. Johnny and I lived less than a mile away and could ride our bikes there. Mary said she went with little money to discourage too much betting which I did too. It made me smile. Our Belmont Boys. They were the best of the best. I am hoping they have met in the world beyond this world. It would not surprise me. They are so missed.