How Jimmy Buffett introduced us to his charming sister Lucy
Since I am writing this on Jimmy Buffett Day, it seems fitting to tell another Jimmy story – this time, it’s about how we met his sister Lucy. After we met Jimmy in Grand Cayman, we stayed in touch via e-mail on a regular basis, and he came back to Cayman a couple of other times.
Sometime after that first meeting, James met a guy who was a guest at the Hyatt, and who bragged that he and Jimmy were good friends. He said they had palled around in Hawaii in years past, and he alluded to nefarious activities that got them in trouble.
Shortly after that, James e-mailed Jimmy to say he had met someone who claimed to be an old friend of his. Jimmy quickly answered. “I don’t know him, and I have never lived in Hawaii. That was some guy claiming to be me, so don’t believe him.” OK, point taken.
A few weeks later, Jimmy e-mailed James to say that his sister Lucy was coming to Grand Cayman and staying at the Hyatt for a week on business. He asked her to look us up. “And I DO know my sister!” he wrote. That still makes me laugh.
Lucy and her friend Bobo arrived on the island, and James and I showed them around. I’m happy to say, we became fast friends. It’s been more than 25 years, and although we don’t see each other very often, when we do, it’s a greeting filled with genuine joy. I simply love Lucy’s positive energy and generous spirit, and we discovered last year that Lucy and I were born 4 days apart – both Libra babies.
I had a chance to visit with her last year at her LuLu’s during MOTM to offer my condolences. My first thought was of Lucy, when I heard of Jimmy’s passing. She lost her brother, and I’ve lost two. I know it’s devastating. Lucy shared with me some special moments with Jimmy, and I’m so proud of the active role she’s taking to “keep the party going” as he asked.
We also reminisced about that long-ago meeting in Cayman. Lucy remembers that Jimmy was adamant about her meeting us. “You need to look up James White and his wife, they are really nice, and they have two kids!”
It was at this meeting that Lucy asked if James would hold a songwriter’s showcase at LuLu’s like he did at Blue Heaven in Key West for so many years. She was often there for the shows. So of course – what Lucy wants! We are honored to be hosting the first Songwriter’s Rendezvous at Lulu’s Gulf Shores during Meeting of the Minds. Sunny Jim will be there with a great lineup of friends on Sunday afternoon from 2 – 6 pm.
I'm so thankful that we met Lucy long ago and that our friendship has grown through the years. She is a bright light in a world without Jimmy Buffett.