If I could change one thing in my life, I guess it would be the time my dad came to see one of my 'little league' baseball games. He was in a wheelchair by then, and people being what they are couldn't help but stare. I was only 10 years old and a little embarassed. I told my dad that I didn't want him to come to any more of my games. If ever there is a memory that will eat away at somebody for the rest of their lives, that is mine. My dad didn't show it at the time, but my mom told me not too many years ago that, that was probably the lowest point in my dad's life.
My dad had a great family. He had one brother and three sisters. One of his sisters had a cottage in Long Beach, Ontario. I spent the first of many summers there in 1970. My cousin Tommy and I were the very best of friends. He was 4 years younger than me but we had a lot of fun together. I miss those days. Tommy and I haven't talked much the past 20 years or so. But, we did reconnect in May of 2005. We saw each other at my Aunt Doreen's funeral. It took some emailing and jockeying back and forth but Dawn and me spent Labour Day weekend, 2006 with him and Cindy. It was great to be with him again.
Sometimes you need a bit of the past so the todays make sense.
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