Mondays without Richard

On a sweltering summer day, my wife and I were inching our way through the Holland Tunnel, embarking on our first trip since the Covid pandemic hit. As someone who struggles with claustrophobia, the tunnel was never my favorite place to be. Just as we were approaching the dividing line between New York and New Jersey, Eva looked up from her phone with tears in her eyes and uttered the words, “I have some bad news.” The exit out of the tunnel seemed to stretch on for an eternity.

I have been on hundred of coffee dates

Richard Axel

Richard, my therapist and closest male friend, had passed away. I first found Richard back in 2012 through his book “Father’s Love Daughters Power” when I was struggling to raise my two little girls as a single father. After messaging him, we eventually met and he became my therapist and confidant in the city. We bonded over our shared experiences of being single fathers and our zest for life.

I’ll always smile when Richard’ was used to tell me, “I’ve been on hundreds of coffee dates.” Having been divorced twice, he was happy and fulfilled with his new love when he came to Antiparos to marry me and Eva. I can still see him now, swimming in the pool of the house the day before the wedding, as if it were his first swim of his life. He taught me to never give up on love.

Richard, I miss you every Monday.