Once When I Was

My relationship with my father was rocky to non-existent so today always feels weird, lonely and awkward.  Makes you want to avoid restaurants for brunch and the TV for commercials.  You get it.  But here is my Happy Father’s Day post to my Dad and my Grandfathers anyway.

I think the photo above is around the time my dad was going off to or coming back from war because his hair is super short.  I know when my mom & dad met he had wild and curly long hair because she describes seeing him for the first time as a surfer dude straight from Florida in Queens, NY. 

Classic 70’s style in Texas with a turtleneck and me and my cousin are in ponchos.  This house ended up burning down and I remember my dad running up those stairs with the firemen trying to save stuff. I was watching from that house across the street.  I think there was a pear tree in their yard.  So weird the things you can remember. 

This is in the 80’s and we were in South Florida.  I think maybe this was an anniversary for my parents because they are going out and look happy.  That is a wild beard my Dad is rocking and my Mom has on an amazing rabbit fur coat. 

This is my dad’s father, my grandpa Norman.  He looks super here and I love that he is taking a photo of himself.  He passed away when I was young but I have great memories of him.  He was creative and smart and funny.  He was a psychologist, hypnotist and an inventor.   Nana Kitty was married to him so you know he was amazing.  My Dad took photos too so I imagine I got the bug from Norman and Bruce.  (My dad’s name is Bruce, yes, Bruce Lee… a lifetime of jokes about that.)

This is my grandpa Sidney with my mom and aunt watching tv.  I wasn’t close with Grandpa Sidney, I think it was because my Mom’s relationship was so strained and that trickled down to me.  I love this photograph though.

There you have it, Happy Father’s Day.  I wouldn’t be me if it weren’t for them so thank you Bruce, Norman and Sidney for that. 

This is the only photo I could find of her as a grown woman with a different hairstyle.  She went big for a day.  For a photo, at least.  Must be the 60’s. 

Nana reflects on this photo of her with my dad and uncle.  She is in her 20’s here and they are probably living in the city on east 55th street or upstate in Katonah. She moved from London with my grandfather, uncle and father in the Forties to escape the war.