Wayne Flory

It was 20 years ago today.... ....I was working a half day on Thanksgiving eve remodeling a house in midtown when I received a phone call from Patty that would change my life forever. It was 20 years ago today and I remember every detail of that day like it was yesterday. The pain of that day has subsided, but the memory of that day sure hasn't. And my love for you definitely hasn't.

So wow, Dad. Just like that, 20 years have passed since we got the dreaded call from Mom, just as we were getting ready to come up for Thanksgiving. It is still so clear in my memory. But, as is ever true, life goes on. And Thanksgiving will always be a reminder to treasure having grown up with you and Momas our parents. And as you, more than most anyone, would appreciate, your efforts to chronicle our upbringing are always available for me to access on my phone, through the ever evolving...

I am so glad to have all of our videos with you so I will always be able to remember having you around. The older I get the more I appreciate how much you and Mom did to give us a happy, albeit sometimes eventful, upbringing. Rosalyn Carter, who was 6 months younger than you,, just passed away last week, and I so wish you had lasted as long as she did. She was a great woman who also put her family first as you and Mom did. What your generation did was truly admirable, and is all but...

Happy Thanksgiving, Dad...(and Mom). Only one thing come to mind when my heart soars with joy when I think of you. You are (were) a knucklehead plain and simple. And that makes my heart smile. I love you!

Now 18 years have passed, and still I miss you every day. Watching your video and remembering. But still, I appreciate having you as my father, and strive to follow you as my role model. Happy Thanksgiving to you and mom.

So here we are, 17 years hence, and we are without you for another Thanksgiving. Boy oh boy, your family is really not the same as when you departed us. Even more so since Mom passed 8 years ago. I miss you both every day. And now I have a special favor to ask. Cathy just passed close to Thanksgiving just as you and Mom did, and I offer a special prayer as I sit and write here eulogy for her service on Sunday. Please give her a hug for me, and help comfort her in a way she has needed...

As now another Valentines Day and your 91st birthday has come and gone, I am reminded about how much I miss having you around. And also, how much you are missed by your grandchildren. Your mark on my life is profound and very personal, but knowing that it was just as important to the generation we will leave behind serves to reinforce the life you led and the examples you set. I still miss you and Mom and think about you often,

Until we meet again.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! While it's a Valentine's Day I also think of you and how important you were for me as an influence early on. I recently got some home movies back from the first day out of the hospital for me with you and grandma and it makes me happy. I was very lucky will always remember that, I think part of the luck comes from your hard work and the path and example you set.

I wish you were to talk, have a drink and smoke, and debate and sometimes agree to disagree on...

Happy Birthday Dad. I would have loved to have had you still on your 90th birthday, but I still take solace in the memory of you, and the model you were for my life. May your eternity with Mom be everything you want it to be, and may your legacy live on here for generations to come.