dad

There is one picture of my dad that I have impressed indelibly. He is a teenager, leaning against a 1940s car. He is on the right side; I think three other folks are present - his dad, grandfather, and another person. The picture always struck me because he looked so thin and tall, not at all the figure I knew. I searched his face in that photo trying to read his thoughts, trying to understand how he viewed himself.

I have nothing from my past, so that picture is elsewhere.

When he died several years ago, I did a lot of driving in the immediate aftermath. So very odd, but Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" seemed to have been on every radio station. I heard it, without exaggeration, a dozen times over a few days. I'm not sure what God's point was, but I am sure He had one.

This video is from the Band's "The Last Waltz." Two songs, Forever Young is first.



May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.