Not Just Another Father’s Day

     The overwhelming grief and sadness I feel over Joe’s death extends well beyond my own personal loss.  My heart aches for the many who miss their Joe.   He was a friend, a brother, a husband, and a father.

     Jen and Jim can only imagine what it might have been like to share in all of the next phases of their lives with their brother, Joe. 

     Anne will never forget.  Her Joe will be forever young.  Their time together now is sometimes spent with visits from a bench, as colorful rays of sunlight and hushed tears warm his cool granite home.*

     Domani, will have memories of his father, but they will be those told to him by others.  He will recognize his father, but only from fleeting images, as they digitally flash by, or from pictures locked in golden ovals. 

     Yesterday, on Father’s day, we were all together at the house where Joe grew up.
     As I watched the kids running and playing around the yard, my mind played tricks on me. 

And it was my Joe I saw calling out to his sister and brother, “Quick, Jen, Jimmy, come here.  Come see the deer."

Today my heart is with you, Jim.

*Anne’s Father’s Day post is lovely and as always tugs at my aching heart.

I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.

I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here are yesterday and today’s entries from Anna’s diary:

Mon. June 17, 1929

Jean home all this week.  Part of her vacation.  Went to visit cousin Louise in Silver Lake.  In the evening to Grandma M. and then Grace.  Baby with us.  Quiet warm today.

Tues. June 18, 1929

Went to Budd Lake to see Minnie.  Jean brought Junior to the Lake and bathed with children.  We all stayed at the bungalow.  Supper Elizabeth’s club at Helen H’s.