John, so sorry for your loss.  My father died almost a year ago.

It has taken me some time to adjust to not calling him with news, good or bad.

••

Indeed it does, so I will be expecting considerably more forelock tugging in the Forum, henceforth!

About ten years ago, my mother and father came to Connecticut for a visit, and were invited, along with me, to a very formal 50th birthday party being held for a former neighbor. Another neighbor offered my Dad the use of a VERY expensive tuxedo, which, when Mom and Dad left, I found he'd packed and taken with him. Seems he thought the tux was a GIFT, and was thrilled beyond measure to have it!

Over the years, my neighbor and I have joked about different ways we might get the tux back, and, with Dad's death this was one of the first things I mentioned, jokingly. "Finally you'll get your tux back!"

Steve (the neighbor) immediately said that the body should be cremated in the tux -- something Dad would have very much appreciated -- and so that's what will happen!

Lord and Lady Rushton, circa 2000, in the front hall of my former residence…

••

Me. Mom "hated" beards, but I kind of snuck a small one past her when I was in my final year in High School. When she realized I'd grown a beard, and decided she liked it, Dad immediately followed suit.

So, is "Your Lordship" the new way we need to address thee?

Edited by Jeremiah Avery on 10 January 2011 at 11:26am

My sincere condolences Mr. Byrne.

Thank you for sharing those pictures and memories, they are great.