chapter 345

The Last Supper

5/9/2014

life happens

link to survey photo album

Our Division of Water retiree luncheon was like a religious experience. Holding court here was our messiah, Bill on the right who pretty much hired us all 38 years ago. Here, he seems to be saying "One of you will betray me." We're like the the 12 disciples at the last supper minus 2. Peter has already gone up to heaven and another one has also been Kaul-led. I'm not saying this is 'THE' last supper, but it is the 'Last' supper for a while. The saint (St. Lucia) on the left travelled afar to get here; from the little town of Bethlehem, just a stones throw south of Albany. Our setting was the very fittingly 1874 Albany Water Pumping Station that now houses the 1786 Evans Brewery.

We all stumbled in with various ailments. A replaced shoulder here, a hand surgery there, you know. After breaking the bread and supping the wine, the healing spirits filled our souls. Fish was the specialty on this good Friday. They kept bringing us baskets and soon there was enough for everyone. What's the buzz, tell me what's a happening. There was talk of new born babies in swaddling clothes and a reverence in the air as they said, "Hey, passover that salt." There was little conversation of government work. Just a brief mention of how the court was trying to crucify Senator Joe Bruno down the street. He was said to be like the sacrificial lamb being led to slaughter. A proverbial scapegoat.

Confessions were abundant, yes. Absolution of our trespasses, questionable. Absolute vodka, more likely. 

I've never had to work for a boss or with co-workers that I didn't like. It's a fortunate thing. Yet, these are rare events now; maybe once a year, but It was miraculous. We had all been hurting and wounded by the slings and arrows; the trials and tribulations of life, but by the end we would all be leaving feeling no pain. If you asked everyone if they have a good time. I think each would have to simply say, "It was divine."

We have all been to God's country; we've gone to the mountaintop and seen the land of promise. Sometimes we were led by the bearded ones. It is all covered in the photo album.

It's true, we all have crosses to bear. And sometimes we are bare with our crosses. Not just one wooden cross but I helped put up and steady many of them as our gang of slaves helped build Dick's post and beam house in 1980. He still lives there. It was epic. 

Sinners, we were. No one could cast the first stone. In fact, some of our gang would be hard pressed to toss a few pebbles.

key words:

Chuck St. Lucia, Hank Samide, Bill Mirabile, Dick Draper, Jeff Schmidt, Joe Kelleher, Steve Hammond, Bill Berner, Phil O'Brien, Terry Olmsted.

link to first Water Quality Chapter

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