Greetings, HaQ readers, on this lovely Memorial Day. It is warm and breezy here, with blue sky peeking through puffy clouds. We are in high spring – wild pink roses have exploded into bloom and the very first of the wild raspberries handed me their ripe selves on my dog walk yesterday, a blessing of the season.

I’ve been stirring through a lot of memories this weekend because yesterday was my father’s birthday. Though he passed away a few years ago, Dad is very much present in my thoughts and with me as I move through my days. I am who I am because I am his daughter. He taught me to ask questions, to be contrary when it’s called for, to love the natural world, and to love food. I picked my first wild berries with Dad. I think of him every time I see an eagle soar. And when I sip a dark roasted coffee, especially in the late
afternoon when we would have a fresh cup and start conferring about dinner. Dad loved black coffee and the smell of something delicious cooking on the stove, or – even better – on the grill. Me, too. I am still and ever Daddy’s girl.

When I am wondering how to solve a problem, or how to make a choice before me, I often think of Dad. He is ever my lodestar. I carry those memories with me, like his old pocket knife, like the stunning palm-sized Petoskey stone that sits on my shelf, like the curl in my hair, all from him. HIs gifts were many. I would not miss him so much if he wasn’t such an enduring, endearing part of my life. I am grateful beyond words that this is so. My life is immeasurably richer for all he gave me. Thanks, Dad – love you, miss you.

A note on the holiday:  Memorial Day is held to commemorate those who served and died in war-time. This original intent is solemn and a reminder that the cost of battle is not measured in currency. One post I saw today featured the West Point graduation portrait of a beautiful young woman.  She was 23 when she was killed in Iraq. It breaks my heart that she, and many others, will not grow into their lives, grow old, and share their gifts.  May we honor their sacrifice with the honest attempt to ensure it does not happen again.

Stay tuned for more on the Here’s a Quarter blog next week! As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome – they are moderated (I know – adulting again), so they may take a little while to appear, but I read them all and appreciate that you were here. Thank you!

My new story collection is now available: Dog Days . I’d love to hear your thoughts if you check it out!