I'm a Little Bit Rock 'n Roll...

The photograph in a magazine advertisement surfaced the memory of one of his many eccentricities. The brown and white patterns, thick stitching and high-gloss-polished leather conjured long-forgotten images of him.

No matter what he was doing - wielding a hammer, cooking dinner, or deep sea fishing - Crooked-Nose-Tom wore jeans, a collared shirt, and the most amazing cowboy boots.

Our relationship - it's pensive, delayed start, conflicted middle, cavernous ending, and everything in between - really was beautiful.

Just like those boots.

I miss you, Dad.