Remembering Dad

William S. Edgerly passed two years ago today

My winsome, urbane father, in his personal study in Concord, Mass.

To hear the related 5-minute audio file that I uploaded today as my Morning Journal flash briefing for Alexa devices, please click on the play button:

MISSING WSE	

two years ago today
his last breath

my first without him
and ever since—
a void that tastes like
freedom, maple syrup, and longing—
a new life that
he created for us
with intention, aka love

curly haired golden boy
with big plans for the world,
ever ready to embrace
his son’s latest version
of himself.

and now—
without him
I wonder how
he’s doing up there
with the love of his life

I hope he knows
I miss him every damn day—
especially this one.

I just reread the masterful obit of Dad by Bryan Marquand, who has written more than 2,600 news obituaries for The Boston Globe since 2005. I’m grateful that my father’s was one of them.

My favorite quote from Bryan’s piece:

“What I really remember was you’d better bring your A-game,” said former governor Charlie Baker, who was in his late 20s when he met Mr. Edgerly. “He was very nice and not harsh or any of that, but just so obviously smart that you better come up with something to talk about that’s going to keep him interested.”

Just so.