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the podium and began. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. As Mr. Mineral mentioned, my name is Montgomery Stevens, and I am the CEO of Brightness Bus Tours. Duffy worked for me. On behalf of the company and all its employees, I express our deepest condolences to Nancy and the family. Nancy, if there is anything you need, please let us know.”

I looked at Nancy. She was looking at Montgomery, nodding her head. She silently mouthed, “Thank you.”

“Duffy was special to all of us, and there are so many good memories to share. He had a hearty laugh and an incredible sense of humor. He could tell a joke about anything, anywhere, that kept you laughing till you cried. I’m sure all of us in this room have cracked up at one time or another at his jokes.”

Throughout the room, mumblings, heads nodding, chuckles, and giggles took place.

“Duffy took an interest in people he met, and his job afforded him the opportunity to meet a whole lot of people. He loved people and interacting with them. It wasn’t only people he loved. He had a strong connection and love for animals, and he gave of his time and money to protect all animals. The impeccable way he cared for Footlong, his brown dachshund, shows his strong devotion to animals. I remember one Halloween, Duffy came into the office to show off his and Footlong’s costumes. Footlong’s costume was a hot dog—the bun, onions, mustard, the whole works. That little hot dog pranced around the office like he had won one of those dog contests. What was even funnier than that was Duffy’s costume; he was a hotdog, with all the toppings, too.”

The room erupted in laughter. When the laughter stopped, Montgomery continued.

“On top of all that, Duffy was taking Footlong to a dog Halloween party. My golly, I had never before heard of such a thing.”

The laughter started up again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a sad occasion that has brought us here tonight, but Duffy’s memory will live on for as long as we do. He was a great husband, friend, employee, bus driver and made a significant impact on my life. He had a way of making every day something to laugh and dance about, even if you couldn’t dance. Because of him, I’ve tried my very best to laugh and dance every day.

“Nancy, again, we offer you our deepest condolences. You’ll miss his hearty laugh. We’ll miss it, too. You’ll miss his jokes and tall tales, and we will, too. You’ll miss his sense of humor, as will we. But while we all stand deeply grieved by the loss of your loved one, by the loss of our loved one, a member of our community, we are thankful for the chance to have known him. We may have lost him physically, but spiritually he will always be with us. God Bless all of us.”

As soon as Montgomery walked to his seat, the elderly lady sitting next to Nancy walked to the podium. So her name is Rev. Ronda Valmoria. What is the relationship?

Rev. Ronda was not attractive at all, and everything she had on attracted attention. She was humorous looking and reminded me of a skinny version of Elzora, the fortune-teller character Diahann Carroll played in the movie Eve’s Bayou. Diahann Carroll was still beautiful in her fortune-teller costume, but Rev. Ronda’s face was unattractive. Even now with a better view, I couldn’t tell if she was White or Black with light skin. In any case, what did she have to do with Duffy?

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Rev. Ronda began, “my name is Rev. Ronda Valmoria, and I am an energy healer advisor and psychic medium. On behalf of Nancy, I begin by thanking everyone here tonight and thanking everyone who have sent their condolences but couldn’t be here tonight. Nancy has received so many e-mails, phone calls, flowers, visits, food, and prayers. She wants you to know that all of this has been very comforting during this difficult time—the loss of her husband. And she wants you to know that your love and kindness has been a great reminder of the impact Duffy had on so many people.”

Rev. Ronda spoke with clarity and confidence. Her outward appearance conveyed a different impression of her.

“I’ve been an advisor to Nancy for over five years and to Duffy for the past two years. I saw firsthand his zest for life, his humorous nature, his love of telling jokes, and his passion for people. Most importantly, I saw his undying love for Nancy and her love for him.

“I’ve asked some of Nancy and Duffy’s friends to tell me what they remember most about Duffy, and the first thing that came to mind from most is his hearty laugh. He certainly did have an enthusiastic laugh that was infectious. There was the time he and his friends went horseback riding for the first time. Afraid of horses, Duffy sweet-talked his horse for ten minutes while his friends made fun of him talking to a horse. Duffy had the best ride that day and conquered his fear after that by taking riding lessons. He could do anything he set his mind on. Uh, except for the time he tried to sweet talk Nancy into letting him adopt three more dachshunds. I think everyone on their street heard her cry of ‘No.’ It was probably heard across town to the Brightness office, too.”

The room burst into a fit of laughter.

“There are so many little things that I remember—like the loving way he looked at Nancy, how he loved holding her hand, and how he held the door open for her—those subtle little things. So it’s really not always the grand things we remember best, but tiny enjoyable pieces of Duffy’s life. As much as I would love to share more of the things I loved about Duffy, I know you all have your own memories tucked into your heart.

“While Nancy stands deeply grieved by the