5 Years Ago

5 years ago the world lost a great man. My dad passed away 5 years ago today. Sometimes it seems like forever ago, and sometimes it seems like yesterday. I can remember almost every detail in its entirety.

My dad was like a Renaissance Man. He could do it all. Intellectually superior to any other person I've ever known, He had so many gifts, that he shared. It was like, it was his passion to share everything he was, with every he knew. And I'm sure I speak for everyone who knew him, we are grateful that he shared.

He was a successful chemist/engineer. Allied was lucky to have him. He was also a mechanic at his own motorcycle shop. But he went beyond all that. He was the best soccer coach (okay, assistant soccer coach -- he hated the limelight), story-teller, at-home Jeopardy champion, shed builder (even if Doug disagrees), pool builder (multiple times), house fixer (too many people to mention in that one), brother, Pop-Pop, husband and dad. I remember when Nicholas was about 9 months old (not ANYWHERE near speaking) and he sat there saying "What's my name? Pop-Pop. What's your name? Nicky. What's my name? Pop-Pop" On and on. He was so proud of all the kids. He beamed with such pride. I only wonder what he would have said about Amelia. I know she would be the favorite (haha, just kidding -- kinda ;0)

My parents had a love that I hope to have after 35 years of marriage. It wasn't perfect by fairy tail standards, but it was perfect by their standards (and mine). Sometimes I think Rob and I are following in their footsteps. Especially when I have had a glass of wine and he's had a gin and tonic. (ahh the memories)

And then there is the role of dad. He was second to none. He was the best. I remember the first time he went to the Mets game. I was little. I didn't understand that I couldn't go because I didn't have a ticket. I was heartbroken that I couldn't go. Sure enough, the next game that he went to, I was right by his side. We had so many memories that we shared through the years. I think the best was .... You know what? I can't finish that sentence. I don't know what the best was. There are way too many. I loved going to Canada with him and driving that first night.

Funny story that no one knows about. We were more than 3 hours behind schedule, and everyone in the Mini-van o' fun was a little punchy. Dad was driving (it was pretty late, so I was sitting co-captain to make sure he didn't fall asleep), well, we see a sign for the town that we were staying in that was about 8 KM away. Everyone was happy. Finally we were close. Then it happened --- Dad and I saw a sign a little bit further up saying that the town was 12 KM away. No one else had seen the sign but us. He looked at me and I looked at him and we both agreed to tell NO ONE. We got the giggles and merrily kept driving. That's how we were. We'd both see something and get the giggles. We often joked that we shared one brain. Sometimes it makes it all the more hard -- I've lost my other half of my brain. (Rob keeps saying its shrinking anyway -- maybe he's right).

He has missed so much, and its not fair. What death is fair? Well, certainly this one wasn't, at least not to me.