Cards and holidays

This was the first year since I can remember that I did not receive a birthday card from Daddy.
You all recall what a stickler Daddy was about assuring that the greetings were sent out in a timely fashion.
How many of you remember him fretting about not being able to find a card with an appropriate text?
If he ever "forgot", he would say things like "oh, I could just kick myself...."

Well, that was so important to him.

This is also the first year since I have had an adresse of my own that the Easter Card did not arrive.
I only realized a day or so after each occaision that something was missing. All those cards meant so much to me. So much that I'll
never get used to never receiving one from him again. I am just glad that I never threw a single one away. And, I never will.

For next week I have been assigned a lesson to teach. My subject: "The merciful Father" (from the story of the Prodigal son).
My first reaction was to flee from such an undertaking. I still think about it. You all know who shall serve as my model. Just thinking
about it causes me to weep as if were February 15th all over again. Do you all carry the bookmark with Daddy's obituary around
with you? My theology professers (every single one of them) calls it a geneology. They are not familiar with the American method.

I still feel like I did in February. Of course, this is not about me. Since Daddy went home - and that is where I think he is- recall
those of you who heard it, the symphonic music, the "hey!" the speaking floorboards, I have been blown away by the lonliness and
still , at times, pick up the phone to call him. It is now midnight on a school night. "Night-all "It's time for the???? to drop, the ???
to pop... and silently the old cow slips away" I am grieved that I do not remember what I should. Maybe one of you could complete
Daddy's bedtime parting words.

vonnie