yesterday was yet another anniversary of your passing. 16 years have passed and I still can't believe it. subtle things remind me of you every day. I tell my son's about their grandfather and what an amazing father you were to me. I reminisce on playing board games with you. Specifically pretty pretty princess, with your dark brown hair pinned back with a plastic tiara. I remember watching Turner Classic Movies, and knowing all the words to play like Fiddler on the Roof, Bye Bye Birdie, and Guys and Dolls. I recall going to Lucky Diner, Steak & Ale (or really anywhere) and you having a great conversation with the food service staff. I couldn't go anywhere with you without you drumming up a conversation with someone - I guess I know who I got that from.
I'm still obsessed with Coca Slurpees, and take my boys on trips to 711, just as you did with me - except we don't have Wawa in California.
I make "Big Mommy" breakfasts that don't hold a flame to your "Big Daddy" breakfasts - mainly because the kids don't like scrapple (they don't know what they're missing).
There's so many things I miss about you, and so many things I do with my kids just as you did with me.
One thing I try to do is install confidence in my kids to talk to me about anything. I never want them to doubt that I support them, or that I love them. One thing I never doubted was how much you loved me and how proud of me you were, even when I felt looked down on or less than by others. You embraced my desire to be different, and march to the beat of my own drum, just as I try to do the same for my boys in this crazy world that tries to put them in a box.
You were so inspiring to me as a parent, as my father, as a man to look up to in life. You have inspired so many in music and teaching. Oh how proud of you I am, dad. I love you
This candle was first lit on the 12th of May 2024 and will burn for 63 more days.
