Pipe Dreams and My Father

Dear Pop,

You would have been 110 years old today.

I fully expected you to reach the century mark,

so, when your heart failed at 76, I was flattened.

I was too young to lose a parent and yet, it

happened and I had to deal with it the best

I could.

That same year, I filed for divorce and walked

away from my teaching career-three major

hits to my psyche and yet, I am still here!

A large part of why I am still standing and joyful

comes from lessons you taught me as a child:

From singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”

as you rose at 4:15 a.m. to telling me

“Time, daughter, time takes care of everything”

to “Moderation in all things will protect you”

and “Always be humble, you are no

different than other human beings."

Lessons I carried with me as I weathered the storms

of my life. Advice I shared with others when

they were open to it. Wisdom that warmed my heart

when the cold world pressed at my door.

I miss you, Pop. I miss you sitting at the ranch

house table, a mug of creamy coffee in front of you,

sucking on your pipe and blowing a smoke cloud

in the air, your bright blue eyes softened, looking

off into infinity…

You made it okay for me to be a DREAMER and

for that, I thank you.

You left so suddenly, I did not get a chance to

say good-bye (Good-bye Ma, good-bye Pa, good-

bye, mule with the old hee haw-you used to sing)

I feel your presence every time I crave black licorice

or cold cider on a hot day

Eating ice cream evokes your smiling face

I don’t know where Heaven is, geographically,

but I know it wasn’t a long trip for you because

while you were here you walked your talk and

everybody who met you loved you.

Happy Birthday, Pop!

Until we meet again,

Your sweet Tapootie :-)