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Though he's been gone nearly a decade, I'm thinking of him, more often, with Father's Day approaching. It seems only yesterday we were sparring about politics. Chatting about family and friends. Dad offering help with a problem I had.  In fact, I can hear him now. Reminding me, as he often did. To "Think clearly and objectively before you jump into anything". Words I still bear in mind today.

A serious soul, he was also the person to whom noone was a stranger; everyone was a friend. Someone on whom you could rely on for a favor when noone else could be.  To  lend money, though he had little of his own, to someone in need.  And very importantly, be there with the strength to support you, though experiencing his own physical ills.

I'm grateful to have had my father for so many years.  But selfishly wish it were more. Since I'd come to rely on him for so many things.  To be a shoulder to cry or lean on. To lend an objective ear to my problems; then give well thought advice.

Today as I with life the balancing act it is, I realize he was born far before his time. Instinctively knowing what takes us, today, tons of research, time and money to discover.  And how he knew whom to trust and who not to is still a mystery; he had tons of great friends, from many walks of life.  I'm uncertain if it was living in simpler times which made it a bit easier to live so honestly, to risk starting relationships with those you know little about.  At a time when life didn't impose so many requirements or restrictions on us. Or whether he was just that canny or smart.

Whatever the case, I know he can rest in peace knowing how much he was loved and respected. His words of unique wisdom still remembered and used.  And, always, missed by me, family and friends. .