ࡱ> 02/%` ^bjbj .̟̟^      ,G LLLLLLLL$ he nLLLLLLL LLLLL@ z b. 0G    ,LLLLLLL LLLG LLLL\\ FATHERS DAY Its been thirty years since I heard you call my name, a whisper really. You were traveling the cosmos on your way to heaven. I didnt know it then but that was the last time I would hear your voice. At least in this lifetime. How trivial is it to say I still miss you? I have imagined so many scenarios looking back on my life that could have included you. Graduations, achievements, disappointments, passings, mistakes (one large mistake), the technology boom (youd be like a kid in a candy store), fulfilling your entrepreneurial spirit and yes, you would have loved direct deposit! Would you be surprised to find out I was your third genius! Why didnt you know I was just an under achiever for so long? You lived your life early, Im living mine late. Honor was your code despite the idiosyncrasies that endeared you to us. I know you have visited many times; it just took me a while to recognize your presence. Thank you so much for letting me know to visit Grams the day before she faded from this earth. She actually opened her eyes when I sang her song. I think she had a peaceful death. You didnt, did you? You were full of fear and regret for your youngest son then just a little boy. It broke my heart when he saw your picture but didnt recognize you. It had been too many years for his precious but fragile brain to recall your face. The tears welled up in my eyes. I will never forget the indelible impression you made upon my soul. So, this Fathers Day I will not need to visit your grave to have a visit with you. I can close my eyes and see you as the young daddy who carried me to bed on his shoulders or the disciplinarian (no, you dont have to go get the tickler) or your last birthday only two weeks before your heart shed its last earthly beat. Sometimes I search the starry skies for a glimpse of you. Sometimes it seems I can still hear you call my name. Sometime soon you will be here again to guide your other son on the path you have traveled for the past thirty years. To home - and home again. He has your heart plus five mortal years on you. Thanks only to the progress medical science has made since you left. This time, tell him how much you love him and how proud you are of everything he has done. Knowing it and hearing it are two very different things. And, daddy, that especially goes for your other daughter as well. Tell her. She has your tenacity but more than anything she needs your recognition of her extraordinary achievements. I love you. Good night, daddy. And when its my turn, Ill take your hand as we walk toward the light. See you soon...   ]^hTxSh[ h[>*hNh[>* Y! " ` a   g h Rgd[$a$gd[^]^ $<]