In Memoriam: Josh Welch

i am in miami this week, staying in a bungalow in little havana, but as i walk to get my morning cafecito, the coos of invasive zebra doves in my ears, sunlight filtering through palms, the smell of plumeria in my nostrils, and the rustle of invasive anoles scattering before my feet, i remember pounding the pavement in hawaii looking for candied violets and oysters to celebrate the wasteland’s cruelest month with you so many years ago. i am here to see my niece who is graduating from the university of miami summa cum laude with a degree in screen writing and critical film analysis, so i want you to know the kids these days are alright, and following in your footsteps, and probably making your same mistakes, and it’s wonderful. i have become a much better chef over the years and attribute some of that to you coaxing me back to meat eating and your encouragement through facebook: i post a lot of that stuff thinking of you, so thank you, you’ve made my life so much richer. written for josh welch who passed away this week at the age of 54