Tuesday, January 17, 2023
/public-file/1458/Ultra/a36f8fcd-71ac-4c9b-9835-ea2180e7eec9.jpg
Photo taken July 2020 during a CoViD-safe outdoor high-school graduation party for 2 of his grandkids (Cedar & Keenan). This shows Dad, completely in his element, speaking publicly about the potential within our youth, and how bright the future is, knowing they will be our leaders. He was always ready with a quote or a phrase of encouragement, especially for teenagers.
Ever the teacher/educator, he would engage with the grandchildren about what they were studying and what they were interested in every chance he got. Most people ask questions about someone's future; Dad would focus almost entirely upon what was happening in your present. My childhood memories of time with him are very much the same. If we were at the barbeque, he would teach how to grill. If we were in the garden, he would teach how to grow tomatoes... while we sampled one. If we were talking about school, he would focus not on grades, or how I was progressing along. He wanted to know what books we were reading, which parts I liked, etc. It was always about what was going on right then. In a world where so much energy, effort and focus is on what's next, Dad was 100% in the now. I hope to remember and draw on that, pulling his voice into my mind to help me stay here, in the now.
I miss you terribly, Dad