It's funny, both Lonesome Dove and Field of Dreams were on the TV today. Both feature in happy memories of a bittersweet era.  My dad was battling cancer and losing, and we spent time with him watching movies.  The movie has a great storyline, very gripping.  Just the type of thing to make you forget you're fighting bullies of your own.  There's Blue Duck and water moccasins and the man-burners. 

    Dad was not the type of guy to enjoy sitting around watching movies before his illness.  He was always in the garage builing or repairing or out mowing his forty acres with the tractor.  In the years from 89-91, he welcomed any distraction from his ordeal.  But Dad faced cancer with all the gusto he could muster. He was courteous and self-contained and occasionally a rascal.

     It's no wonder I still miss him evrey day. Daddy made me feel like no one else in the world.  I remember when he called me "Grace Kelly" in contrast to "my little linebacker."  I looked different, I suppose, in my Easter dress and first pair of pantyhose than in my play clothes.  He was  a tender and protective father.  He sang to my mom and danced her around the kitchen frequently.  I resolved never to marry unless I found someone who loved me the way he loved Mom.

     Anyhow, there we were this evening watching Lonesome Dove with Sam's mom, who is on oxygen all the time and striving to remember all her meds and everything.  I flashed back so vividly to experiencing Lonesome Dove with Dad.  I can't remember if it came on TV or if we had it recorded, but I remember his pleasure and preoccupation with it.  It's still a great movie. I now know that every chance we get to spend with family is a treasure to tuck away for the future.