In honor of Halloween...

From Lisa, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Keel's Dream

Keel came down to breakfast this morning, and said he saw Pop Pop. When I asked him what he meant, he said that he saw Pop Pop in a dream last night. Dad had on his engineer's hat and was telling Keel that he would like for us to spend more time at the mountain house.

I was speechless. It was all I could do to keep the tears from falling down my face, but Keel seemed nonplussed. He now has another mission.

Dad's Tree in Prospect Park

Today we met with the arborist and his apprentice (Luis & Eric) at Prospect Park to pick a location & species for Dad's tree. Though I wasn't sure how it would work out in the beginning, by the end we were all very, very happy. Luis & Eric picked the perfect spot for Dad's tree, overlooking "Roosevelt Hill" and in a very prominent position at the bottom of Long Meadow. And the tree, a "Black Gum Tupelo", is gorgeous. Here are some photos showing the location and the type of tree. I think Dad would be happy.

Dad in Cape Town, March 2009

San Francisco Waterfront

This is one of Virginia's photos of Dad, just before they left San Francisco for Bangkok, March 2010.

Dad & Joel in Europe

Dad and his best friend from Williamston Joel Muse embarked on a rowdy, 10-week European tour in the summer of 1963. Joel has been kind enough to forward a couple of photographs from their time in France, and you can see how much fun they had! Their trip took them first to England and Scotland, then on to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Dad's love of travel and exploration started early.

I saw Dad last night...

... or rather, this morning, early. Just before I woke up, I dreamed that he came to visit. We were getting ready to leave somewhere, and he showed up at the screened door. He said he had been doing a lot of reading on the beach. He looked good, and his hair was no longer gray.

I can't help but think his visit had something to do with the photo of us swimming at the beach that was posted the other day. Regardless, I love every single millisecond of seeing him in my dreams.