Raisin Bran and Boston Celtics scores,
Encyclopedias and Statue of Liberty tours,
Cheri Shabutska and puffin birds,
Crossword puzzles and Jumble words.
My dad's big hands and bigger heart
Divorce, death, a world falling apart.
Laughing during each evening meal
Smothers Brothers and political zeal
Falling grapes and water guns
Daddy's girls and My Three Sons
Standing on his feet, learning to dance
Hearing he died in a strange, sad trance.
Walking briskly, 2 sugars with cream
Bill Cosby tapes and Sox pennant dreams
Basketball Coaching, Umpiring too.
Remembering the old, exploring the new.
Following his footsteps deep in the snow.
Mourning his death, afraid to let go.
Hot dogs and Spinners, Elvis and Jack.
Watching Sabrina, playing piano on my back.
Wheelbarrow races, and then "Thar's a Bear"
Stories of chickens (roosters beware).
Sitting on rooftops, scanning the skies.
Missing his presence, tears in my eyes.
His Plymouth State ring, his books and his cane
O is for Outstanding - where? in the rain?
Do they give out A's? Sugar on snow.
Crying for grandchildren he'll never know.
All of the memories, some painful, some pure,
Making me wonder how I will endure.
Knowing that opportunity won't know and won't ring
Makes the lump in my throat rise up when I sing.
But sing I must, and sing I will do
And if you loved him, you will sing too.
And laugh and tell stories and love and live life
Whether you were his child, his friend, or his wife.
Paya, I miss you - I can't wait to see you again.
---cjp 11/19/03
He would have been 65 on November 19, 2003.
He died doing what he loved, having just finished golfing his second hole of a 9 hole golf game. They found him sitting in his golf cart, golf ball still firmly grasped in his huge, strong hands, with his pencil and scorecard sitting on his knee.
He had heart problems, and had suffered from an aortic dissection (just like John Ritter) on February 13, 2001. We are thankful for the extra years we had to enjoy his huge presence in our lives. And we look forward to the day we will see him again in heaven.