Charles Howard Richards
Since his birth there have been three more, my grandfather, my dad, and my brother. He is a family legacy. He was visiting my family this week, and I got a strong impression so ask Nicole to take some shots of him so we can have some beautiful portraits to remember him by. He had a close call last year, and I just don't know how much longer he'll be here. I'm hoping he can last a few more years so he can hold his first great-great-grand child, but we'll just have to see.
Of the shots I've seen so far, this is my favorite. I have to admit I'm a sucker for details, but this one just speaks to me.
His hands. Just think about the the almost 100 years he's been alive, and all those hands have been through. Those hands served our country in World War 2, they held the love of his life my great grandmother MaryBeth's hands, they held my dad's hand as he was a child, and so much more.
Even though he was sad he wasn't able to witness Andrew and I being sealed, he supported our decision and was there to hold my hand that day as well. He is an amazing man, with so much life experience. He'll always be remembered as singing, "A pretty girl is like a melody" and "Little boy with a baseball bat" and we don't know the rest of either of those songs. The baseball caps he loves to wear, his wedding band he won't remove even after his love passed over 10 years ago, and his Navy tattoo that he regrets getting now almost 80 years later. We'll all also remember his fear of Mexico, but that's a long story.
We all love you Papa! Thank you for being such an amazing man.
4 comments:
That's really sweet, Afton...and what a neat picture to remember it all by.
He's so sweet, and your tribute is so beautiful. Thanks for giving me the chance to do this!
That almost made me cry. :-)
Afton, I love that you mention that about his hands. Growing up I was extremly close to my great grandfather and one of the things I remember about him most is his hands. I always thought it was really, really weird, but as a kid I remember thinking how big they were and it stuck in my brain. When I look at pictures of him today I still notice that. Very cool.
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