A Wish for Papa's 87th Birthday

Today would have been Papa's 87th birthday. Right now, I am imagining myself sitting with him in the sun, on the porch at 48 Portside Drive, telling him all the things I cherish most about him. I wish that imagining could be real life, I wish it could take place right now. I am able only to retrieve the love in my heart for him, though I do remember our challenges together. He was, on occasion a little difficult, you know?

I've already shared the words that follow with some of you, but I would like to share them again today, March 27, 2019, Papa's 87th birthday:

My Father, Mike 

If you knew my father, Mike you were probably aware of his affection or love for you. He had an expansive heart and he held so many of you in there. Papa was a gentle soul, who saw less than gentle times growing up and in wartime. As far as I could tell he was incapable of holding a grudge, and could end a tense moment with a chuckle and a sparkle in his eyes. His love and affection truly was dependable.

Growing up with Mike as a father we learned some important life lessons:
# 1: Mike’s Tuesday Night Poker Game table is a more lucrative place to collect on lost teeth than the tooth fairy, hands down.
# 2: How to swing a golf club.
#3: How to rescue needy animals.
#4: Always carry cash.
#5: How to use power tools!
And, most importantly,
#6: How to be kind.

I am grateful and fortunate to call Mike my father, I’m grateful my children knew him as their Papa and my husband knew him as his father in law. We all knew his love, and we will carry his love inside us for the rest of our lives.

In some of the pictures I have of Papa with my boys, if I look at them long enough I am transported back to that moment and I can feel his presence. It is an overpowering, whole body experience, and it brings an aching to my heart. Today, as I look at these pictures and the smile in my father's eyes as he holds my two boys when they were younger I know the untold imprint of his love on their hearts is deeply present in their beings. I am so grateful for that love, that imprint, and for the time we all shared together. Time spent loving one another is time well spent. I love you, Dad/Papa/Mike. Thank you for spending some time with us and loving us in the very best way you knew how, it has armed us all for this world and we will always draw on that love in the best and worst of times.