Today is New Year's Day, a time to reflect on the passing year. At times it was a year that I was grateful for. It was also year of sadness as my loving Mother-in-Law Tessie passed away. On Christmas Day my dad Anthony spent the day with my wife and son's Anthony and James. We had our normal crazy day together as he talked about his wife Joan and what he had planned for the New Year. Unfortunately and suddenly my dad passed away later on that night. Even though he did so much for me, his daughter-in-law Madeline and his grandchildren throughout the years, when I think about him, for some reason the memories that come to mind are my childhood memories with him. I think about the time I wanted a model of my hero Micky Mantle and we drove around the whole city until we found the on I wanted. I think about all the nights we would spend together watching his favorite old movies on TV and he would tell me stories of the actors and they became my favorite old movies as I grew up and I still watch them today and think of him. I remember when he walked into the apartment and would give me a big kiss on the cheek and I would feel so loved. I remember that my friends would be a little afraid of him because of his tough exterior and I would laugh to myself because I knew he was such a softie at heart. He would always talk to me about his hero Joe DiMaggio and tell me about all his great accomplishments. A few years ago a movie was made called 29th Street. It was about the block that he grew up on in Manhattan and all the characters that he knew. Everytime I watch that movie the memories of him walking down that street with me holding my hand, talking to his friends and taking me to my grandmothers house jump out of my head. He would always tell me that when I grow up to be the best person that I could be and to always be there for my family. He would talk about when the time came and he was no longer with us to make sure that I watch over my mom and brother Peter. My Mom is no longer with us but I will keep my promise to him regarding Peter. I remember when I was very young he would go out and for some reason I would feel afraid and empty until he came home and then I would feel safe and secure again. It's funny, today I have that same scared and empty feeling again as I did as a little boy. As I write these memories about my Dad, I feel a little selfish, writing mainly about my memories and our times together, but I guess it's ok to be a little selfish for one day. I could go on and on about my childhood memories and our times together but as I write this something indide is starting to hurt, so it is time to conclude and think about the great and colorful life that he lived and the thought of him being again with my Mom makes the hurt go away. So in conclusion I say so long for now Dad, thanks for all my great chidhhood memories, they will live in my heart forever. See you around "Big Anthony from 29th Street".