Sea Stories

Since my fathers death, many people have reached out to my mother, brother, sisters, and me to express their condolences. One extremely positive thing that has struck me is how much my father was liked. Sure, he had is friends from the Navy that we saw often through out the years, but my mother keeps receiving notes (cards and emails) from folks that we barely knew talking about my father in such a way that makes me proud. As a kid, your dad is always just that, your dad. You never really see them as anything else. Since Pa's death, I have learned more about his life than I did in the 45 years I spent with him. I have even read notes from former Navy sailors confirming stories Pa used to tell. It sure is refreshing to know that his sea stories were true, not just myths.

More than a month

It has been more than a month since Pa left us. Life seems to be back to normal for me. Since the Spring is usually not a time when we have lots of family gatherings, not seeing Pa doesn't seem at odds with the status quo.

Today, I was at my parents' house collecting pictures to put together a DVD of Pa's life for his service on April 2. My brother John and his wife Jo were there, and we all sort of joked that it seemed normal and that we wished Pa would get up and come down to join us. For the past few years, when ever we went to visit, he always seemed to be somewhere in their house doing something, never wanting to just sit and talk--that is until it was time to leave. Then, he would walk you out to your car and proceed to have a 45 minute conversation about just about anything and everything. Those conversations are a big part of my memories now. I cherish them.