My father would have been sixty years old today, which seems much older than the fifty-nine that he would have been yesterday. It’s odd to think of my father growing old. I suppose part of me knew that he never would, especially since long term alcoholism usually doesn’t lead to a long, healthy life. It’s just as well – I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t have become the wise patriarch that his father had been.

My entire concept of Dadwas built upon his stature and strength. He was atall man, broa...