Because of the timing of things, I was getting ready for my dad's funeral as the Columbia news was coming to light. Somehow, I find myself not following it at all, whereas I followed the Challenger obsessively. Its not that I'm not concerned or sad for them, but I'm not really interested, if that makes any sense. This time, it doesn't seem any more significant than any other seven people dying. p as I'm boiling 3 dozen eggs. I understand why food is a big part of funerals now. I didn't do any cooking over the last few days, but it is comforting to have the routine, the list of rote things to do. Boil the eggs, slice the eggs, mix the filling, stuff the eggs.

My wife hates deviled eggs and the first time we took them to a function she was convinced that no one would eat any. I smugly pointed it out when they were the very first dish to disappear. They are a near-perfect party foodstuff. They need no utensils, can be eaten in a bite or two (mine frequently don't make it onto a plate, just going straight into the mouth) and are just damn tasty. Years ago when I decided this was My Thing (and if I take something to a party that I make, it is this) I fooled around with the recipe and decided that it tastes better and tangier if you use red wine vinegar, so that's always what I do. I also sprinkle paprika across the top when I'm done. My wife always chides me for the sloppy and ugly way that I stuff them, not bothering to round or smooth them in any way. I always respond with "If they last long enough for anyone to notice that, it means I didn't make them good enough." the differences in their style. I still remember all those lessons.

He and I had problems, just like he did with his father and every father has with every son since Adam had to clean up that mess with Cain and Abel. His dream was to be a professional bowler, and he certainly was good enough to have given it a shot. He didn't, mainly because his father didn't think that was a reasonable thing for a man with a family to pursue. He never tried for his own dream, but he took what he recieved from his father and gave better to his sons. He never did that to us, never discouraged us from trying for what we wanted. That's not to say he wouldn't tell you if he thought you were making a lousy decision, he wasn't shy about that. But he believed and he told us that we were capable of anything we set our minds to. That's not to say that we would or should do anything, but that we could. That's all you can ask for from your father, that he let you know that you are loved and that he thinks you can do anything. That's what he did for us.