last sunrise

Valentine's Day sunrise was exquisite.  I grabbed the camera without forethought.  I didn't know that it would be my father's final sunrise.  And what a show it was -

The Creator pulled from all corners of His palette.

Moments later-

Astonishing.  
We buried my father today.  We had Color Guard standing sentinel.  We had a military send off at the grave site.  We are patriotic people - stirred by service and love of country.  My father would have liked all of this - he would have approved of the arrangements that his wife and daughters put into place.  His heart would have been glad - so many came to say goodbye, to share stories, to laugh, to weep, to honor the man that they knew.  Good bye, father of mine.  I am so grateful that your suffering is over.  Alzheimer's stole so much of who you were from us that I have only my memories of the good old days, not of your last days when you no longer recognized your loved ones.  
I will miss you until we meet again.