Pap's passing

Pap passed away on April 13th. 

He was a tremendous father. One of those all round, enviably excellent ones - the "I-wish-MY-dad" (did magician acts, tossed me around in the pool, taught me math, played sports with me, taught me about life) types who filled our expectations with all the things fathers should be. Despite the terrible blow to his own health twelve years ago, he made it to both of his daughters' weddings and was present for every one of his grandchildren's' births.

 Then, in the fall of 2023, he asked if his children could perhaps come to see him as soon as they could, and we are grateful for this last gift of his. He never asked us for anything, and had he not in this case, we and our kids would have missed out on some of our last, lovely times together. 

In his final weeks he had fresh memories of his kids and grandkids. On his final day he had a Starbucks muffin and hibiscus tea, and in his final minutes he was working in his garden.