Flashbacks in real life are different from flashbacks in movies. I understand flashbacks in my life but I do not understand flashbacks in movies, or I did not and that is exactly why I do not go to movies. Another reason is that modern movies do not have a plot. Now, I like novelas, and novelas do have a plot and flashbacks but the producer has the courtesy of letting you know that you are seeing a flashback. Not so in modern movies. Another reason I do not go to movies is because I do not hear very well with all the background noises and I hate to be asking, "What did he say?" So now you know.

But, flashbacks in real life, they tell a story. This chapter deals with flashbacks in my life, mostly to fill in the gaps and deals with the smelling the flowers part of my life, not the parts where I almost lost my life.

Now that you understand how I look at flashbacks and flash-forwards as well, let me point out that the next few chapters will be flashbacks and/or flash-forwards and are there to point out some of my core beliefs which in effect define my being and to some extent that of your dear mother.

Let's try one. This is what I get from my daughters on Father's Day, just a sample of the cards I get from them on any given year:

A Wise Man Once Said

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, Wings."

Daddy;

Thank you for giving me both.

Happy Father's Day

Thank you for all you did for the wedding. It really meant a lot to the both of us!

Love You!

Moni

So they are all gone now, Dolóres, Cecília, Mónica; they are gone now with their respective families; but they do not forget their parents, the oldies but goodies. Doug and Mónica returned from their ten day honeymoon in Costa Rica and found a Father's day card for me which reads as indicated above; which tells me, as I told Isabel; "We must have done something right, look at this card from the Glenn’s."

So we sat down to smell the roses and got out the one from the Aleva’s and the one from the Klevan’s.

Can it get any better than this? Check the next two pages.

Yep, we did something right. Listen to what the Alleva’s say:

For A Special Father

From Both of Us

"Sometimes we let affection go unspoken,
Sometimes we let our love go unexpressed.
Sometimes we can't find words to tell our feelings,
Especially towards those we love the best."

Sometimes the truest compliments are those we keep inside.
The seldom-spoken feelings of affection and of pride,

And though not often mentioned, they are the most sincere,
For they're the special compliments that you inspire all year.

Happy

Father's Day

Love you,

Dodie & John

And the Klevan’s, well I got three cards from them; including one from Paul (age 10) and one from Alex (age 8). Give a listen.

Here's A Song Just For You, Dad...

"Happy Father's Day to you

Happy Father's Day to you

Happy Father's Day dear...
greatest, most caring,
handsomest, kindest,
funniest, all time best
Dad ever

Happy Father's Day to you!"

6/13/97

DaddyO

I know that this is going to get to you a little late, but better late than never!

It is getting to be the end of the school year and I have been running around with the boys doing their special things. I didn't forget, I just got behind.

Love You!

C. C.

And from Paul's computer

Thank you Pampa/US2B

for my Mom

Happy Father's Day!

Paul

And Alex did a hand drawn card which shows a big heart on the front page and a note reading;

To Pampa

Inside another heart in color

From

Alex Klevan *****

And on Valentine's Day ....

I Love You, Dad

I know you, Dad .. You don't wear your feelings around on the outside for every one to see.

You don't feel you have to talk a lot to be heard ... You sometimes like to keep things to yourself,

But you never fooled me, even once. Even though we hardly ever talked about feelings in so many words,

I always knew how much you cared I knew it in a million ways, by a million and one little things you did to let it show.

And somehow I've always known that beneath that tough exterior was the most special, loving and caring father in the world ...

Daddy So thanks for being just the way you are. you'll never know how much it means to have you for a father.
And even though we don't often talk about feelings in so many words, I love you ... I always will.

Happy Valentine's Day

Love you bunches, your #1 daughter. Dodie.

Read On! Enjoy!