For Florida, it’s been a joyous run to Dallas, Texas, for the Sweet 16.
For me, it’s been a trip of mixed emotions.
It’s my first time back to the Dallas area since I sold my dad’s house in 2007. He died a year earlier in 2006 at 62 of a massive heart attack.
He was a heavy smoker, an addiction he couldn’t kick. My dad had his faults, but I choose to remember the good times, like when he taught me to swim and fish in Lake George, N.Y., when he showed up for my high-school soccer games and that afternoon in 1988, when we sat through both games of a Mets-Expos doubleheader in the upper deck at Shea Stadium.
He moved to Dallas in 1999 as part of a company transfer. His second wife died of leukemia in 2004, which took a toll on him emotionally. In our last conversion, I let him know about a radio interview I was about to do in the Dallas area during UF’s national title run. He told me he would listen, and that he was proud.
A few weeks later, he was gone, but not forgotten. I still wish he was around so I could buy him a ticket, or stay with him a few days in that red brick house in McKinney. I’m sure we’d have some fun things to catch up on.
And life carries on.
sorry for your loss, kevin.
Having recently lost they 2nd parent, your blog reminds us to put things in perspective.
Thanks
Separate note, does the name Frank Laviano from Spring Valkey ring a bell?
It may, I was a lifeguard in Spring Valley during the summers of 91 and 92.
Time heals all wounds. Continue to think and reflect on the good times!
That was very touching Kevin!