cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
Dear Photo,
In the alternate path universes, today I am calling you in Florida to wish you a happy 85th Birthday. You will want more to hear me talk about me than me talk about you. I might be talking about the next trip down I have planned.
Instead I am looking through just digital images that are fragments of memories, and I seem to have more of your objects than your face (there are more of those in the boxed photo albums 2000 miles away in a closet). I want to have one more conversation with you, yet the closest I can get is that imprinted memory of your voice. Does it even matter if I can recall it exactly or just more I can tap into it?
I hope for anyone whose fill in the blank verb for ‘Today _________ is my Dad’s birthday” is a present tense one really appreciates the mening of that verb.
You would not want anyone skulking around on your birthday, you’d rather be grilling your own steak dinner or trimming the grass, so I will listen to your [imagined] words of advice, “Old Man”.
love, Alan
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
Beautifully done, Alan!
My 86 year old Mom just had hip replacement surgery, and I was able to take half a week of Emergency Family Leave to be with her in recovery last week. That was a magical time, and as you abjure, I treasure it.
Thank you for a “soul post” today.
Sandy
I was really feeling Dad by my side today as I was varnishing teak on the boat. I think I inherited his perfectionist gene! Great post–I was looking forward to it all day.
My 87 year-old grandma in Iowa had her left hip replaced last week. She’s doing very well now. As a youngster, I spent my summers with my grandparents back in the 80s. Great formative times. So, is that a transistor you have in the post? Just love transistors. As always, your thoughts and posts hit the spot.
Thanks for the memories of dad today! I thought of dad as I took my class on a nature walk. I saw so many weeds that I said to myself, dad would never allow that! I hear his voice as I read all the letters her wrote to me!
Beautiful post and imagery, Alan.