Today is Dad's 78th birthday. Times have been rough since losing him so suddenly, but in spite of the sadness, more than anything I remember the countless joys and delights of just being around him. I miss his humming and singing.

Dad was shy and would never sing in public, but he had a great sense of pitch and a good voice. He hummed hymns quite a bit, occasionally busting out a line or a few words. I loved him singing along to the radio. He would look over at Mom on road trips and sing along.  If he knew she disliked a song, he would grin at her and sing, and she might turn the dial, or pop off a retort to the lyric in question. He would laugh, we'd all laugh. Mom and Dad's witty, affectionate banter was a joy to see.

Sometimes, he'd sing along to lovely songs of great affection. Even in the most difficult or tense moments, the tremendous respect and admiration between Mom and Dad was undeniable.

Maybe my wounded heart fills in the gaps, but I swear I remember him singing this song ("You're My Best Friend" by Don Williams) to her. I think he would sing it to her today if he could. Such a love is a rare and precious thing, and I am happy I got to be their child.


https://youtu.be/SQDWayLiOEE

Happy earth birthday in Heaven, Pop. We love you and miss you.

R.I.P., Dad.

I will write more at length, later, but I have to mark this occasion now. I've written so many times of my lovely, wonderful parents. Well, my darling Father died on March 22, 2019. I don't know how I'm going to bear it, because it is the most bloody painful thing I've ever experienced, and I'd do anything in the world if his death could be undone. He just collapsed that day, and was gone, so I know it could have been worse. He didn't die as a result of an act of violence. He did not have an agonizing decline in mental/physical faculties that made him feel diminished. He did not experience the fear that he was losing his mind. For all those agonies he was spared, I am grateful. Still, it is so terrible to lose him. I will do my utmost to support Mom and to keep her around as long as possible. It has been 12 days and I still can't believe it. A tremendous sparkle has left the world, and I wonder if I will ever be happy again? It is impossible to imagine that I ever could.

R.I.P, Dad. Thank you for being the best and making me so very proud. Thank you for choosing the best Mom in the world for me, too. Thank you for everything, for making such a lovely home and life for your kids and for Mom.