5 Years

Today (in France it's May 15th already) makes 5 years since my father passed away. 4 years before that in 1997, my father lost both his brothers suddennly, within a few weeks of each other. It was the dawning age of my family communicating with each other using email. I have never forgotten an email from my brother Peter, in reference to to loss of my uncle Richard who was relatively young. "As sad as it gets", Peter wrote. And it was. Conversely, we were lucky to say goodbye to our father, to leave not much unsaid, to care for him when he needed it, and to help him through and beyond his suffering.


Dad: Class Orator & Best Dancer, among other given superlatives. Dashing and dapper in 1944; graduating from Barton Academy.


May 20th, 30+ years later, enjoying a little birthday strawberry shortcake, with me--quite happy to be by his side.