This time of year is always tough. Father's Day, closely followed by Dad's birthday (sometimes falling on the same day). I miss him everyday. He was the sweetest guy and the best kind of dad. A big kid himself--funny, silly and willing to make a fool of himself to make others laugh. He loved to strike up conversations with random strangers, just to learn something new. He was a chocolate fiend, and had an unhealthy obsession with raisins (raisin brownies, anyone?). He was a voracious reader and lover of science fiction who would sit in his truck, in the garage at midnight, to listen to George Noory on AM radio tell fantastical tales about aliens and supernatural beings. He loved jazz, the blues and that ol' time rock and roll. He had the soul of a song and dance man who could neither sing nor dance well, but damn, he tried. An amateur photographer, he was curious and clever. He was a loyal and kind husband to Anne-Kathryn Hughes and a loving dad and provider to 7 (seven!) children that I'm sure were a handful. Dad, I never doubted your love for us. Happy Father's Day Pops--I miss you, and I love you.