With Sad Regret

Hello, Dear Friends, it is with sad regret

that I have to tell you that my Ramblin' Man's

Father passed away this week. 

Born into an Irish Immigrant family

in South Boston during the Great Depression, 

he rose from his humble beginnings

to become a very successful businessman.

Here he smiles at his youngest brother's wedding, 

with his 4 brothers, Mother and Father. 

He is the dashing figure on the far left.

He gave me this photo on our visit

to celebrate his 65th birthday. 

He was a proud Marine, and obtained a 

mechanical engineering degree by attending

 night school as a young father. 

But the beautiful legacy that

he left to me was his eldest son, 

my sweet Ramblin' Man. 

Here they are when I first met them both,

back when we were all shiny and new, 

and the whole world was full of bright possibility.  

But Father and Son were as different as night and day, 

and their's was a dance of absolute polarity. 

The tough and unsentimental Marine

with the hardscrabble past who fought so 

hard to give his children a different 

experience couldn't understand 

the sensitive son with the genial disposition - 

and vice-versa. 

So my Ramblin' Man, with me by his side, 

set out to make his own way in the world, 

and time and distance took its toll. 

I can only imagine a Father's broken heart, 

and for that I am truly sorry. 

He was graceful in his letting go, 

and generous in so many ways, 

including his understanding

that a man has to stand on his own two feet, 

and perhaps they were more alike in that way

than they cared to acknowledge. 

For isn't it true that there are only two
lasting bequests we can hope to give our children?

One of these is roots and the other is wings,
and he truly gave him both.

xoxo

xoxo

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared.
Miss me - but let me go.

xoxo

Until we meet again......
All our love