You look just like them. Beautiful, sweet family pictures. His smile in the last photo says a lot.

Very touching, Lauren. I love the photos.

You really do favor your mom. Thanks for sharing the photos.

s.

Thank you both. This is always a bittersweet day for me. It's nice to share.

A beautiful birthday tribute to your father. I remember reading your earlier post over the summer about his life and achievements and it's great to see some portraits of him, your mother and yourself.

Best thoughts to you. And frosting stuff.

Designanator, thank you for remembering. I've probably made him a little too mythic over time but daddies and their little girls, you know.

Sandman, thank you. That's quite a compliment.

Freaky, thanks for taking time out of your busy campaign schedule to visit. Frosting is a bonus.

I really like that the older he gets, the less serious he looks.
Where did he have the telescope set up? When did he get into astronomy?

It's healing and healthy to remember. Thanks for sharing! Paws up.

What a sweet post. I know your dad is proud of you.

Old Gold, Daddy was into astronomy as long as I remember. When I was very young, we lived in Baltimore and we had a telescope, though a much simpler version, back then. One time when there was a total eclipse of the sun coming up, we traveled to DC and set it up at the mall with the black paper at the eyepiece to show the progress of the eclipse. This was probably 1969 and we drew a huge crowd of both straight-laced and hippie types. Daddy was so excited explaining everything to anyone interested in hearing it. As he became more successful, his telescopes got nicer and more intricate. That last photo was in the "Hong Kong Tattler" magazine. They lived on the harbor, Kowloon side and when we visited, I loved looking at all the different boats and ships through that very telescope.

Thanks for your interest.

UK, thank you and it is, though a little bittersweet.

Amy and Dog Woman, thank you. I suppose it is healing.

This is a sweet tribute Lauren. He looks so kind from the photos. the first one is very heart wrenching for me.
I know how much you miss him........at least I think I know, and i hope the time goes on well when you remember him.
thanks for a wonderful post.
ps You have his good looks........apparently!

Thank you, Gary. And I think you do know how much I miss him, like you miss your brother and your dad. I'm curious. Why did you find the first photo particularly heart-wrenching?

As a daddy's girl myself, I have to say, I am sorry for your loss, and happy that you have such fine memories to keep him alive in your heart.

It is a wonderful thing, to celebrate the life of someone we love. You've done it well, Lauren.
Happy Birthday to your dad, indeed wherever he is I'm sure he's smiling right now at his daughter.

Rated/appreciated.

Lauren, This is a lovely tribute -- to both your father and to you. It is my belief that those have left this plane never really die as long as we keep them in our memory by speaking/writing of them. You have certainly given me a glimpse of your father's life through your writings. Thank you. He lives through you. And, by the way, your resemblance to your mother is stunning. J.

Thank you, Liz, I often wonder if everyone is a daddy's girl but I think not. We are among the fortunate.

Thank you, Bill. I hope so.

Julie, your words mean a lot to me. I've tried to keep him alive for my children if nothing else. And, as I said to Sandman, thank you for the compliment. I do have my father's mouth and nose though in photos it is harder to tell.

No wonder you're so beautiful Lauren, what an extraordinary beauty your mom is, what a handsome father.

A loving tribute to your father. You're a good daughter.

Lovely, Lauren.

I was struck by how much you look like your mother - the younger picture, of course!

I’m glad you have a place here to remember him with friends.

Oh, Barry, you're too kind. Blushing here.

Thank you, Denise. It has been nice to have friends to share with. It makes the day more sweet and less bitter.

The first photo looks a great deal like my brother Greg. Especially the expression. It shows a thoughtful sort of intelligence, and a certain edginess. The shape of your dad's head was similar to Greg's. You may see it if you revisit "Giving it Up"

Anyway,.......good post and thanks again

What a beautiful way to honor your dad.

Years ago, when my dad died, a friend said to me..." eventually all that remains are the best memories and the feeling that his spirit is watching over you." I have found that to be both true and comforting.

I am always amazed at the combination of genes from parents to offspring -- you are exactly half of each in these photos! (Well, a little more mom's beauty and dad's character...still a wonderful mix!) Take care, I wish you the best today.
L

Even in the first picture---an "old soul." And a good soul too.
Just like his daughter.

In complete agreement with Chicago Guy.

Beautiful pictures. Your mother is stunning. (And yes, you favor her :)

Lauren, my husband is 69. His Dad died at 54, so it's been a long, long time for him. Mine when I was seven, or 51 years ago. Dads are so important and their legacy lives long in our hearts. Mine aches a little tonight for the rememberance of such a loss.

I found this post to be very touching. I had a very difficult
relationship with my father, he was abusive. However, since he
died I have worked on the relationship on the dream plane
and now he and I are friends. I think he wanted to be helpful
during my childhood but financial pressures and his own un-
happy childhood got in the way.

Thank you.

My dad turned 91 in September. It is difficult for me to watch my father grow old, to see those shoulders that once carried me grow slumped and weak. Thanks for reminding me that, even with these challenges, every day with him is a treasure.

Thank you for sharing your love for him.

Thank you everyone for all your kind comments. I did not expect the amount of response I received and I have. Fathers touch a nerve, I suppose, whether you who lost your fathers in an untimely fashion or fortunate enough to have them in your lives.

Susanne, I am sorry you lost your father at such a young age.

Dakini, I'm glad you and your father have found peace.

m.a.h., you are very correct.

Lisa, you are very observant.

Chicago Guy and Coach Captain, thank you very much.

Lainey, that she is and thank you as well.

Faith, I'm glad you realize this and thank you, too.

Procopius, it is an easy thing to do. You're welcome.

Thank you everyone.

Thank you Lauren. In many ways, I didn't know my father well. I'm always a bit envious of those who have this kind of love and relationship with their parents, alive or not. Beautiful tribute.

Oh, Lauren. I know what it is to miss a daddy. Hugs and comfort to you...

Mary, I'm sorry you didn't get to know your dad. I understand your envy.

Marsha, hugs and comfort back to you. We share many things.

Thank you both.

You are fortunate to have this memory recur. Nothing pretend about it. Thanks for sharing this.

I love all that attitude in the pix of him as a kid, playing the "role" in the "professional" family photo, and then the easy physical contact in the third.

Both my father and grandfather had heart attacks at 52. Did you know it is the most common year men have fatal heart attacks? I checked into the gym when I hit it and haven't left.

May my daughter one day express herself as you have. Some grief never ends but needs be shared.

Thank you, Stacy. It's a nice thing to share.

Thank you, Ben. I'm sure your daughter will do just as you wish, in a very long time.

PF, this is... well, it's just lovely. Your Dad must have been a remarkable man, and must have been very proud of you. I think of my late Dad frequently, and in a very similar way. Reading this post, things got a little blurry on me, if you take my meaning.

Thank you, Cam. Things got blurry for me writing it. I'm glad your dad meant that much to you and I'm sure you to him. We're the lucky ones.

PF, my most fervent wish is that my kids feel about me the way I did and do about my Dad. Actually, I'd settle for half that much.

I'm sure they do, especially since you're a big dog person.;-)

a beautiful picture of you and your dad.

I love that picture of your dad when he was little boy!

I lost my own dad a couple of years and I still him, too. Peace to you.

magpie, are you talking about the middle photo? The last one is my mom.

Dragonfly, I'm sorry about your dad and thank you.

Being a grown up orphan stinks. I like to think that the ones we've lost are all around us when we think about them. I especially feel like they're with me in the car when I drive long distances by myself. Maybe they come along for the ride.
My mom's birthday was the 18th. She would have been 82. My dad--also 82-- has been gone only a few months--I still catch myself thinking "Oh pineapple preserves--I could get those for Dad" before I remember and have to stop and just breathe hard in the grocery store. Then I saw Christmas decorations and had to get out of there fast.
The photos are wonderful. He feels your love--I'm sure of it. And I hope his is surrounding you, too.

Lydieth, I'm really sorry about your Dad, and your Mom. Thank you for all your nice sentiments. The mean a lot.

I can see where you get your looks. What a lovely family you have. I do know how you feel when it comes to missing him. This was such a nice tribute.

Thank you, Americain. That was very kind of you.