No, this isn't an entry about another heavenly book.  It happens to be 5 years today that my dad passed away, and I thought I'd send him a letter.  Maybe somehow it'll find it's way beyond earth.

Hey Dad,

I can hardly believe it's been 5 years already that you've been gone.  How I wish you could have stayed around awhile longer.  Mostly because I miss you, but also because you would have been shaking your head on a daily basis as to the things that's occurred.........

Remember that war that started a few weeks before you died?  It's still going on.  Unfortunately.  Heck, this has lasted longer than your tour of duty during WWII.

And politics......oh, how you would have enjoyed these past five years!  Things have happened in our government that you never would have thought possible.  You would have really enjoyed those talk shows on the radio that you listened to every day.  And the discussions that you and I would have had.....it would have been fun and informative.

The celebrity world is as crazy as it ever was.  Okay, maybe more so.  I remember how you'd hear a snippet on the news and you'd call me and say, "Hey, Theresa, did ya hear......"  And the climate and global warming.....it's gotten worse since you left.  Hurricanes, and tornadoes and all kinds of crazy weather.

And since you've left, we've had other losses too.......Mom went on to join you and also Aunt Marie and Uncle Barney.  We also lost Angus......you loved that cat, so I have no doubt he's fine.  And last year, we lost our beloved Holly, right on your birthday, May 9........you also loved Holly, so it made me feel a little better that she had to leave earth on that particular day.  She was a great dog and I like to think she's getting extra special pats from you now.

I sure wish you could have been here these past five years to see........your great-grandson graduate high school as Valedictorian and then go on to win a four-year scholarship to Worcester Poly Tech.  Or to see what a star basketball player your 14 year old great-granddaughter is.  It would have been a lot of fun to celebrate my 60th birthday in Paris last year with you there.  And it sure would have been great to go to Normandy next month........sixty-four years after you landed on Omaha Beach.......and have you there with your grandson and me.  Somehow though, I know we'll feel your presence.  And how great it would have been if on Feb. 26 of this year I could have picked up that phone after my call from Kensington Publishing and said, "Hey, dad.  Guess what?"

I think of you often........every time I look at that cribbage board here in my studio that you made so many years ago.  My last game of cribbage was the one I played with you.  I think of you sometimes when I'm making coffee in the morning and I go to put a paper filter in the coffee maker.......those darn things always stick together, but you taught me many years ago to blow on them and sure enough, magically they come apart.  Every single time I use that huge dictionary that you gave me, I think of you.  It stays permanently here on my desk. 

I miss you a lot, Dad, and I'm so glad that I always made sure you knew how proud and happy I was to be your daughter. You were the best Dad.  All those things you taught me........I value them more each day.  So even though you're not right here with me.......I always strongly feel your presence, still looking out for me, still making sure I'm okay and still loving me. 

I love you too, Dad.

Your daughter  ~  Theresa

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And I'll see everyone here next time..............