Dad..( part I )

[saw]

he left the blue ridge skies
1953......on his marriage certificate
says he was loom fixer and textiles
were drying up, they were cutting his hours
i was 5 years old when I landed in Baltimore
he bought a bungalow after hiring on at the steel plant
and over those 30 in Bethlehem
he'd walk out a class 'A' millwright
and with good health, a union-negotiated pension
and social security, he would have another 30
in retirement making things in his garage
you know some folks in that right camp
like to demean these programs by calling them
"entitlements"....it's supposed to mean to them
a free lunch, well fuck that shit
he earned every nickel...he never missed a day
of work...a Perfect Record !....and....
he never turned down a double shift
because he thought that would be better
for the family...........................
on Tuesday night I tucked him in at 10:15
he said Thank you
by 9:30 am he stopped expelling that earthen air
94 and a half years
he had a helluva run

[sasha]

a helluva run indeed... one he worked hard for, & earned the old-fashioned way - with honor & integrity. RIP.

Sorry for your loss, Steve. He sounds like he was quite a man.

[theirishsea]

Sorry.

If it is any consolation, you had him to talk to for 94 years. Lots of memories I bet.

[mtmynd]

Indeed, 94yrs is a fine life. My mother made it to 96 years back, longer than her first two, twins.

We listen, we learn, we try to do the "right thing" but it always ends up with our eyes shut, our breath no longer...
time erases memories but Now is all there really is.

Condolences, Steve...

[judih]

Dad, part one
I'd guess the parts are going to blossom on this trail

[saw]

thanx folks...appreciate the kind words...there will be more I think....

[mnaz]

Indeed. A helluva run. One to be proud of, to cherish.