In 1999, my dad rented a house out on Fire Island, and invited the family to come out for a week or so. Zach was less than a year old, and I hadn’t seen my sister in quite a while. They came out, and we all spent a week together on the island.
It was an important time for our family. Many of us thought it was the last time we’d see Dad – we knew his health wasn’t that great, and wondered if this was his way of saying goodbye. In some ways it was, but he slugged it out another 2 years, including another week out at the house the next summer.
This visit was rough because Zach was so young and needed 100% of both Cat and my’s attention, and it was ALMIGHTY hot there – that summer-in-New-England humidity-laden-heat that makes it impossible to sleep well, let alone with a clingy toddler.
I remember when I was there, we actually ended up leaving early (after 3-4 days) because of the sand, heat, and the bugs, and I don’t remember anything particularly inspiring about it. But looking back now, it was an opportunity to get a picture like this one, an option we don’t have anymore.
In the front is me with Rosie, my dad’s dog.
In the back, from left to right, are:
- My dad
- My nephew Josh (LJ: thoughtography)
- My sister Sarah (LJ: sarahshevett)
- My wife Catya (LJ: catya)
- My son Zach
- Sarah’s partner and Josh’s dad Ted (LJ: ejbythesea)
My dad died about 4 years ago now. I think about him all the time.
This was nice, thanks. Too bad y’all had to leave early. We certainly missed you at his going away 75th birthday party, his last big bash.
BTW, Dad died in 2002, in March, so it’s been just over 3 years…
*hugs* thanks for posting this… one of those painful yet beautiful things to read, as an outsider who occasionally gets to peek in at your life.
*hugs*
Your kid? Totally recognizable 🙂
That’s a great photo. Ted looks a lot like my stepbrother Charley.
That was a lovely post and memory you shared. Thanks.