There was something delicious brewing in the kitchen of Infusino’s Restaurant last night, and it wasn’t just their famous ravioli. Kathy and I, Polly, Mark and Lorelai, and a couple of Bob’s closest friends were hidden away in the kitchen of Infusino’s as part of a wonderful surprise cooked up by the Racine Dairy Statesmen, the local barbershop chorus to which Bob has been so incredibly devoted and who especially over the last year or so has done so much to keep the group moving forward during some very challenging times. The chorus decided that Bob deserved a very special sort of thank you, so they decided to bestow on him a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first which the group had ever given to anyone. And to spice up the evening, they decided it would be fun if his family could surprise him there. Of course, it’s not like we flew in from the four corners of the continent – it was a six minute drive for Kathy and me and not much much more than that for Polly and Mark – but I think it still meant a lot for Bob to have us there to share in the night’s festivities and for us to see the high esteem and affection with which the barbershoppers regard him.
Anyway, the whole thing was to be a surprise and it came off without a hitch. Bob’s friend Betty, who was going to be his guest for the banquet, was one of the co-conspirators and concocted a reason why she wouldn’t be ready to be picked up by him until 5. . . by which time we were already at Infusino’s and being hidden away in the kitchen. We were all in on the surprise as well, which meant that when Kathy’s dad called earlier in the day and mentioned something passing about the banquet that night, Kathy was primed to ask “Banquet? What banquet?” I tell ya, Meryl Streep could take lessons from my wife.
So there we are in the kitchen . . . Kathy, Polly, Mark, and Lorelai – who is about to jump out of her skin, she is so excited . . . and once Bob had walked in to find this surprise tribute awaiting him and then heard the chorus sing a special song for him, the emcee announced that someone special was here to be part of the fun – and in we walked. (I hope that after that big build-up, he wasn’t expecting someone important like the Governor or maybe Tony Bennett to walk in. It was just us.) What ensued was a lovely evening in which affection was flowing freely in all directions and we were reminded all over again of what a strong difference Kathy’s dad has made in this community. God blessed him with some really special gifts – including a wonderfully warm and generous heart, a deep appreciation for his blessings, a sense of humor and perspective to see him through the tough times, a love for music, and many above all an exceptionally impressive gift for connecting with people. Put them all together, and you have a guy who could run for mayor and win without breaking a sweat. He is just SO loved and admired around these parts. . . and yet he is someone who has no hunger whatsoever for honors or accolades. Frankly, I think they embarrass him. But every so often, you get handed an honor anyway because the people just have to take a moment to say thank you. That what last night was about and what a thrill to be part of it, even if all we had to do was be there and smile and share in the excitement. Oh yeah, and hide in the Infusino’s kitchen for fifteen minutes.