Memories

They say time heals all wounds. I hope that’s true. Death probably causes the hardest emotions to cope with, especially if the death is of a parent. I expected the sense of loss, but not the unique void created by losing my Dad; a void certain to widen when my Mom takes her turn.

We’re five children and he was a father to each of us in different ways, but Dad to all of us. It’s funny the things that come to mind now. Silly things, really. Important things. Commuting on the train together to work. I wish I’d paid closer attention. Or standing in front of his closet, being taught how to dress properly as he selected a tie for me to wear from his tie rack while instructing me in the finer points of wingtip shoe care. I feel honored I got to select his final resting garments and hope I got it right. I’m overwhelmed by memories of other seemingly unimportant events, surprised by some that have resurfaced.

It’s been a little over one week since his death and I still feel numb more than anything else. I’m sad but not distraught. Perhaps I’ve just simply been too busy, preoccupied with all the arrangements that needed attention. I’m starting to feel slightly unsettled with the likely certainty that it will catch up to me somewhere when I least expect it. I suppose I’ll just have to rely on time.

In Memoriam

Heaven gained another soul today. It was the soul of an 81 year old man who made a difference, but more importantly, fulfilled his purpose while he was here. He was a devoted husband and father who believed in God. He grew up during the Great Depression and was no stranger to hardship, but he rarely complained. Instead, he worked hard and made willing sacrifices that often went unnoticed. His work ethic was a waning virtue in this world and those that knew his, realized and appreciated it for its unparalleled nature. It won’t be lost completely upon his death because he successfully instilled it in his children.

He was an honorable US Marine that served his country in WWII, more fortunate than his brother that perished on the beaches of France and is buried abroad. Fittingly, he will be honored as such at his wake.

In the midst of today’s sadness at his passing, however, there is sorrowful joy. He is finally at peace with the Lord in paradise. This is not his end, but a new beginning. I’ll miss you, Dad.

Down The Drain

Tonight was the mandatory sewer referendum to extend Sewer District 2 into Masullo Estates. Mandatory only because residents of the subdivision petitioned to have their say after the Town Board surreptitiously attempted to subvert that vote and determine the issue themselves. I’m sure the Town Board was not pleased that the affected residents thwarted the plans to ram-rod the extension through.

From the outset, the 3 ½ year old Neighborhood Action Group (NAG) efforts to secure road reconstruction and drainage relief has been subverted by efforts to have Masullo Estates residents subsidize development of Helderberg Meadows, a nearby approved subdivision that was opposed. That was adding insult to injury as each year saw increasing conflicts of interest and non-productive engineering studies to the tune of $73,500. The consideration of the sewer extension was flawed from the beginning with the Town botching a hand delivered non-binding postcard survey for interest in sewer cost estimates. The Town then spun lackluster survey response into a mysteriously binding result. All the while, planned drainage and road work were held hostage to the sewer vote outcome. (It’s no coincidence that tomorrow’s Town Board meeting agenda has a resolution advancing sewers in Helderberg Meadows.)

I’m happy to report that the prospect of sewers in Masullo Estates has gone down the drain tonight. It met resounding defeat as expected by most residents. It simply was a bad plan they pitched. With that prospect now vanished, it will be especially interesting to see if the Town will expeditiously proceed with the promised road and drainage work or if they will continue to manufacture excuses to avoid remedying this long-acknowledged decades-old problem.