I'll always remember...
A time when I must have been about a year-and-a-half old, you were carrying me up on your shoulder as we were at the Corner Store at north 6th and K Streets, and you were buying a Coke for yourself (that has to be one of my earliest memories, period!).
Going to Wright Park, with you pulling Angie and me in the wagon we had.
The pool table we had in the living room at the Blue House. And that time on Halloween where you and Mom set up a homemade mannequin at the bus stop.
Lying in bed at night when I was supposed to be sleeping, and hearing music through the walls when you had company over, or just having fun after we were off to bed.
The times when you'd have the stereo on in the mornings of your day off, and you'd play all kinds of music and comedy albums for me.
A couple of trips downtown to Sears, where you got a new stereo system, and new albums from Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd.
The night at the Red House when Sadie, our dog, passed gas, and forced us to exit the house.
The whole family sitting in our little wading pool in the backyard one summer night, and even sleeping in the backyard in a makeshift tent (at Angie's suggestion).
Hearing "Lucky Man" and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" for the first time together (and what an impression they made on me!).
Going on a camping trip, and when we got home, we watched The Blues Brothers for the first time on cable. We wheeled the TV out on the porch and watched it that way.
Walking down 11th Street one afternoon after taking me to the dentist, and we went to Woolworth's afterward. Also, going to the Judicial Annex Eatery on 11th Street another time, where I had my first taste of Green River.
The artworks you and Pat did for The Rock Show, where you both appeared, and then I got to join you guys for the final episode.
Breakfast at Ray's Cafe one Sunday morning, and then going to the mall and getting Pink Floyd's Relics and The Doors' Weird Scenes Inside The Goldmine.
Getting up in the mornings, and you would have the VCR ready to show me some wacky comedy special or something cool from Night Flight that you taped the night before, and couldn't wait for me to see.
Waiting at the bus stop one afternoon, and a dog was trotting across the street, found a bag of french fries lying in the middle of the road, and began gobbling them up.
Going to the movies and seeing Time Bandits and Raiders Of The Lost Ark and sequels to Rocky and Police Academy; later on, The Fearless Vampire Killers, and then Eddie Murphy in Life and The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
When Alvin was a kitten, and he used to run up your leg and up your arm and sit on your shoulder while you were sitting in the recliner.
Going to see George Carlin, Gallagher, Grand Funk Railroad, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers Band, and having a great time.
Bringing Geoffrey home the day after he was born, and then watching him grow up together. He was just starting to walk when you left us. He's doing that, and so much more since then.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
You would have been 62 today.
We miss you!
