Big Ralph

I visited my dad today on his 95th birthday (National Cemetery, Farmingdale). The experience felt atavistic. I couldn't help but ponder past paths taken by my ancestors.

My dad was born and raised in a war-zone (Germany during WWII). He survived aerial bombing and immigrated to the U.S. in 1952. Immediately joining the U.S. Army he fought in Korea and was naturalized a citizen in exchange for that service. Then he spent 30 years working as a police officer in Lloyd Harbor. He retired as Chief of Police with a generous civil service pension. Four decades of blithe ease in Florida followed. 

The only things that marred my father's life were premature deaths of my mother Barbara Jo (54) and brother Richard (33) in the early 1990s. Those dolorous events shook both of us to the bone. I was so crushed I nearly had heart attacks at the funerals.

I hope all of you have fortunate long lives and avoid tragedy.

P.S., Since returning home from the hospital my body is getting stronger. Daily exercise and out-patient physical therapy are re-building my muscles and endurance. Yay!