Bee Bow Tie o’ the Day gives a big Swarm o’ Bees salute to Dad for his birthday. Dad would have been 89 today. He made it to 77, which wasn’t nearly long enough for us. For him, it was sorta two years too long. He was in tremendous pain the last couple of years of his life. He endured it as long as he could, to stay with Mom. He didn’t want her to be alone. He finally listened to her when she told him it was okay for him to let go when he needed to. She told him she’d be okay because all of us would take care of her. He told me (and probably others), a few months before his death, that he’d had 75 great years. The last two years, he said, hadn’t been worth shit. He made it a point to never swear in front of women, so I knew he’d be leaving us soon.
This photo was taken at one of Momo’s birthday parties when she lived at Pleasant Acres. Dad’s in his Ronald E. Wright Uniform of beige workshirt and striped overalls. Mom is being Mom, complete with her just-done hairdo. My late grandma Wright, Momo, looks radiant with her pure, elegant white hair. My late Uncle Wally, who I miss too, is the other fellow. And I remember Momo’s birthday cake was yummy.