the little things

I bought a few oranges today.
Nothing earth shattering, I know.

 I just felt like having a drink...basically a screwdriver with a little soda water.  But we don't keep orange juice in the house, hence the purchase of a few oranges.


fresh orange juice
plenty of vodka

As I was juicing my oranges a sudden and breathstopping awareness overcame me.
Today is January 5th.
My father crossed over on January 5th, 2005.
January 5th.
Leonard was well into his 88th year.
He died from a massive heart attack which occurred while he was in the process of juicing oranges for his wife's breakfast. In their later years, Leonard juiced fresh oranges for Jane every morning.
He left earth in the middle of a gesture of love. 



Celebrating 50 years of marriage

In the photo ----> , Len and Jane were renewing their vows in the presence of their 6 grown children.  Slight alterations to their clothes, but the same hearts showed up. The same ones present when Len asked Jane to marry him three days after they met.  Their marriage wasn't perfect, but they loved each other and that was enough for them to work hard together and keep loving each other.  They were together for 60 years.

By this picture, my mother had already begun her slide into Alzheimers, but Dad just kept loving her and kept juicing fresh oranges for her every morning. 

It's the little things we do for each other that speak the loudest and mean the most.

On this January 5th, with my vodka laced, freshly juiced oranges I say CHEERS to the most wonderful father who taught me, by example, how to love.



I've never been very serious. Dad didn't mind.
Not sure about my girls. :)



Leonard W. Swett
4/1916-1/2005
 



I can't escape those squinty eyes
and I'm okay with that!