Nat King Cole - Unforgettable (I. Gordon, N. Riddle) ~ Erwin Lazaro 116

After my daily workout on Monday, March 19, 2012, my body felt like it was going to fall apart.  By Tuesday morning, I had every symptom of the flu (except for the G.I. stuff, thank Goodness).  I tried to ride this out at home.  But, by Thursday morning, I hurled gobs of mucus and stuff was coming out of my right eye.  Thursday afternoon, I drove myself to my prescribed clinic because I didn’t want to infect my entire family.  Don’t worry.  I could see clearly and react responsibly.  I was safe to drive.  I left the clinic with the confirmation of my (4-day) flu with 101.4 temp + bronchitis + pink eye = (3) prescriptions.  Add ibuprofen alternating with acetaminophen, nasal decongestant, and Mucinex DM before bedtime, you have an Erwin filled with the most drugs he’s ever taken at the same time … in his entire life.  A clear indication of the effects is the fact that I’m referring to myself in third person, for part of a sentence, anyway.  Hmmm … I got hit hard … but that’s not the worst of it.

I can handle all of the physical woes.  But, with me out of commission, and doing my best not to spread my illness around, that meant that my wife had to take extra responsibilities in my stead.  Actually, not much choice available, between school rotations for our children, parent coordinating events for our children’s school, weekly groceries shopping, meals, children’s homework, piano practices and lessons, 12-hour shifts, and so forth… but that’s not the worst of it, either.

The worst IS that my illness overtook me at the WORST time.  My wife turned 21-years-old AGAIN this week.  Of course, we had plans for parts of this week and she was greatly anticipating this time, but none of it came to pass, except her birthday, a quiet and humble one.  She put on a brave face …

Thankfully, her dad and mom shared breakfast with her on her birthday.  Thankfully, her sister bought her a beautiful bouquet of roses.  She received birthday greetings from family and friends.  I also gave my small offering, but when I overheard my wife’s conversation with her sister, my heart broke into pieces.  I don’t want to embarrass her any more than I already have with this blog, so I won’t share exactly what she said or did, but I will express that her emotions didn’t become tears of frustration directed at me, but tears for “us”.  Every day, like all moms/wives, my wife works hard until she lays her head to sleep.  We make birthdays a very special and wonderful occasion within our family and call them ‘birthday weeks’.  Last year, my wife baked me four cakes, if I recall correctly.  No … her tears were honest and telling her heart that it’s okay to be disappointed when she was so looking forward to this special and wonderful time … especially quality alone time with her husband.

“I know it’s not my fault, but as a small consolation, you know we’ll try to make up this missed opportunity with some new ones and hopefully … ASAP.  We are grateful for everything you do for our family.  We notice.  We don’t forget either.  Happy X # of days after your 21st Birthday … AGAIN my Beautiful, Dedicated, and Pure-Hearted Wife!”

From Wikipedia:

"Unforgettable" is a popular song written by Irving Gordon.  The song's original working title was "Uncomparable".  The music publishing company asked Irving to change it to "Unforgettable".  The song was published in 1951.  The most popular version of the song was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1951, with an arrangement written by Nelson Riddle.  A non-orchestrated version of the song recorded in 1952 is featured as a bonus track on the CD reissue of 1955's completely instrumental (save the bonus material) Penthouse Serenade.  Cole again recorded the tune in 1961, in a stereo version of the Riddle arrangement, for the album The Nat King Cole Story.  His version of the song was included in its entirety in the 2009 film Watchmen during the Comedian's death scene.  In 1991, after Elvis Presley's legendary musical director Joe Guercio had the idea, Cole's 1961 recording of the song was edited and remixed to create a duet with his daughter, Natalie, which won three awards at the Grammy Awards of 1992: Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.  Nat Cole's original recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.