Dad died two years ago today. Life hasn't been the same ever since. I rarely talk about my feelings in a public forum, but it's worth saying that I've never missed anyone as much as I miss him.

I sometimes get angry when I see all the weird, malicious, and downright idiotic people who populate this world, and yet Dad can't be here. There are people who willingly throw away their lives through crime or other means and go on living to old age, but Dad can't.

The world is not a fair place, but Dad's integrity and compassion will never be forgotten. He wasn't a celebrity or a millionaire or a war hero, but he was an honest, reliable, and intelligent person.

In a world that turns on deceit, greed, and stupidity, Dad had what really counted. I will always be grateful for that.

"Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

I'm not sure how many folks still check their Livejournals, but I still like to visit mine every once in a while.

It's strange to me that this year is 2011. Ten years ago it was 2001. I remember when I couldn't believe it was 2001. Remember the space odyssey?

Every year I seem to experience what I call temporal disbelief: the inability to accept that a particular year has at last arrived. It's not the kind of condition that occurs every minute of every day, but once in a while I'll stare at the calendar in disbelief and feel unable to understand how I got to this point in time.

How about that shooting in Arizona? How about those riots in Egypt? What a crazy month January 2011 has already been. I can't even imagine what being in those types of situations would be like, but I hope for resolution and peace for all parties, especially the victims.

If we were all reasonable people in all kinds of circumstances, how would being reasonable affect our daily behavior? Is it possible for people to always be reasonable? I suspect not, but it can't hurt to try. Of course, perhaps we all have different definitions of reasonable.

I like raisins with my reason.

You passed away last night in the most peaceful way with all of us around you.

You gave us the greatest gift of life and taught us how to enjoy it.

After four years of pain, you are now free.

We will always love you and remember you by following your example.

We love you, Dad.