October 1st, 14 years ago...

Wow, whaddya think of this guy??

Since I am not in a melancholy mood, and I have to be on a plane in less than 8 hours...I thought I better address my October 1st, 14 years ago tradition. Right??

Well, sort of. My dear sis Susan reminded me of my annual post.

It's not that I had forgotten. Just that I was on a plane all day on Wednesday, the first. On a plane tomorrow. And a lot sandwiched in between.

I did my outburst last weekend. I was at mom's for a couple of days, and she presented me with a gift she had been working on. It was a memory album. She presented it with apologies...she didn't have my baby photos or cards, didn't have it completed, didn't have everything she had hoped. But as I turned the pages, I touched a piece of my past that I thought never mattered. Genetics and ancestry were for everyone else.

Mom had taken the time to note some of our family history, via photos and handwritten memories (THANKS MOM). Though not comprehensive, pretty cool nonetheless, and apparently more to come once I (yes, ME) find my baby photos (um, why would I have them???).

Anyway, as I turned the pages and touched my past, there came several pages of a man most important in my earthly life: my father.

As I looked at the photos of him as a kid and a young, handsome man, I was at first intrigued by this side of him I had never really known. He was a boy! Just like other boys! Full of mischief and fun. You could see it in his eyes. I knew this, but you don't KNOW it like when you see it in a photo.

Of course, as I turned the pages, he grew older. Family pictures of all of us. Good times and not so great times. The fabric of family. It made me totally nostalgic until I burst into tears and felt that hole of missing him so very much.

So I had my cry a little early this year.

And since I am in no mood to cry now, and I don't have a scanner, I didn't have photos I could attach. I did what any sane, logical person would do and I googled him. As if he would come down from heaven and make an appearance! But when I did, I laughed and laughed. The above picture is of Charlie Cox indeed. A young actor that has a zest for life. And also mischievous and just growing out of boyhood. It made me think I would have like to known my dad at such an age. I bet that would have been fun. And, I am quite sure my dad would have liked to been remembered for his warm and generous heart, his endless wit and sense of humor, and the little boy that never totally grew up. To be an adult and balance all of this was, well...my dad.

So, Charlie Cox above, whoever you are, you have big shoes to fill. But have fun doing it. My dad would have, and he would have yelled "WAY TO GO POOH" while doing it, supporting me all the way! I am glad I can remember my dad today and keep striving to live out some of his best qualities.

(PS at this point he would be telling me - "You better sleep fast!")

Which, I better go do. Thanks for the advice DAD!!!