I don’t know how long it has been since my last post, but our number one fan is now gone. Frank used to badger me about it a bit, the same as when he would stay over and wake up at the first sound of life in the house: “How about some coffee, Jen? Whenever you get around to it…” “How about another blog post, Jen? I know you’re busy, but we’re all chomping at the bit…”
So this is for Frank.
Dear Frank,
I’m sorry I took so damn long, but life–or maybe just my illusions about it– got in the way of these earthly endeavors. And now, well, we miss you a ton. I miss those conversations we used to have over coffee before anyone else was up, the political critiques that always seemed to end with, “Well, it is what it is.” I agreed, you know. Two cynics expounding on crooks and liars over morning coffee. I loved it.
I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to say goodbye to you when the time came. I was on that trip to Montreal that just about wrecked my head, but I’m back home now, and I wish I’d gotten to tell you how good it was knowing you. Really. Times were sometimes tough, I know, but you really meant a lot to me, and to the kid.
It was all too brief, but it was great to have known you. Thanks for the good times, for the sarcasm, the insight, the total acceptance and unconditional love. You always made me feel as though I fit into the scheme of things somehow, and I guess I kind of needed that. It felt nice, anyhow.
Not to cut short this ode, this Ode to Frank, but if I knew you at all, I knew you as a scoffer at fanfare, disdainful of fuss–at least when it was on your behalf. And so, we’ll see you on the other side.
We miss you, and we love you.
Your daughter-in-law,
Jennifer
P.S. Thanks, by the way, for Matt and Kelly. Pretty cool kids you and Judie made. I don’t know what I’d do without them, to be honest.
