Happy Father's Day!

To All the Dads in our Lives, with us and not with us! 

Nick and Jesse, Dads

Ralph, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa

Keith, Dad, Grandpa 

Jim, Dad 

And my own dear Daddy, Joe, gone since 1969.  This is the ONLY picture of our whole family I have. 

My parents just did not take pictures, though we had an ancient camera.  I don't even know who took this for us, on the day my little sister Kathleen's adoption was finally final... she was seven!  We had had her since she was an infant, and yes, that is I sticking my tongue out, and standing on "moon boots"  a rare gift because of the occasion.  Our wonderful brick house on 14th street behind us, it was such a safe haven to grow up in, a block from our church and school. 

My dad standing tall and proud, and my brothers in their early 20's... a long, long time ago. 

Three of them gone now. 

Happy Father's Day to all of you Dads out there!