Bob is much younger than I expected. Intentional stride, kind eyes, firm handshake. Needless to say, I caught him by surprise. We'd never met. I had written a thank you card, enclosed a copy of my Bob-The-Angel post and bought a succulent in a coffee mug adorned with men playing golf (my dad was an avid 2x a week golfer most of his adult life).
I commenced by singing Bob's praises and thanking him profusely within earshot of his subordinates.
He probably only thought I was a crazy person for the first ten or fifteen seconds.
Yes, he had heard about my father's passing, he allowed. He was sorry for my loss.
"I wish I'd known him longer," he said twice. "He seemed like he had so many great stories."
Yes he did. I wish we could have heard more of them.
Thank you for the closure, Bob, and for indulging me the photo.
I'm still saying goodbye. Meeting you helped immeasurably.