Murf shows a different side to the public

Today was our monthly potluck at work. Our department manager is retiring after 32 years so along with the usual fare, there was also scheduled to be a roast or at least a time for everyone to share stories about him. I've known F.C. for most of my life. It wasn't until I got older that I actually knew him. Before then he was just one of a handful of guys that all worked together and were in the stories that my dad told when he got home.

This was only the second retirement celebration I've been to in the last 11 years since my dad died. The first time was for another guy that while he wasn't one of the "inner circle", I'd heard his name for years. At that celebration, I just felt anger that my dad would never have the opportunity to retire. This time was different.

Normally I would not have said anything. Instead, I would have just said what I was going to say in an email to him which would have been much easier. For some reason, I needed to say something out loud from my whole family. I started off by saying that I felt like I've known him and his wife (who was also there) for all my life. I started off really well but then the sorrow hit and I happened to glance at his wife and I failed the battle for composure miserably. I did finally squeak out that I speak for all of my family when I say that we *insert maiden name here* all wish him well. I hope he picked up the implication that I was speaking for my parents too.

Normal everyday conversation about my parents is relatively easy but at more meaningful times like this, it feels emotionally and physically like it all happened yesterday. It's not even 7:00 and I feel like I could go to bed for the night. So much for staying up for Grey's Anatomy's season premiere tonight.