I have this picture of my father. He died in February, suddenly and unexpectedly. This is how he looked the last time I saw him (outside of the hospital and on his death bed)- hale and hearty - I remember thinking I'd have him for ten more years, at least.
Coincidentally, I last saw him a year ago, New Year's Day 2010- I'd been home for Christmas and flew out for home that day. A month later they called me to tell me he was dying and to come quickly. Luckily I made it to talk to him, give him a letter I'd written for him and help him eat his last breakfast before he went to sleep for the last time.
I love this picture of him because it's just typical of him- alert, observant, intellectually curious, amused, kind...and it highlights his beautiful eyes and because he's wearing his favorite dentist shirt (Texan men wear those - it was the only thing he'd ask for every birthday or Christmas - even though he'd lived in NJ for 45 years) with the pen in his pocket - he was always writing or doing a crossword and his favorite red sweater jacket. This is how I always want to remember him.
I was having a really rough time dealing with his death and though it doesn't seem like it should make so much difference, since I've put this picture of him on my wallpaper and I can say hello to him several times a day and goodnight to him every night - I feel better.
I'll keep it as my wallpaper until my mother dies and then I'll put one of the two of them on my wallpaper, so I can say hello and goodbye to them both every day.
