David Parker Tracy IV

I have so many beautiful images to share with you, friends, but I have to start with these, because they are so very personal to me. On March 6, my cousin Dave's birthday, our Poppy passed away. It was not an expected thing. Poppy was strong and independent. He was a musician. He was an artist. He was one with nature. A fisherman, a boater, a hunter. He loved birds and cats. He understood people and made friends everywhere he went. He had an appreciation for crass humor that sometimes embarrassed my mom, which he also found hilarious. He was able to live a full life after my Gramma passed away, but he never stopped missing her. Poppy was sent to a convalescent home to recover from what was supposed to be an ordinary procedure. One week later he passed away. The evening before I got the call, we had planned a get together at the convalescent home to smuggle Poppy a beer. My sisters and I, my cousins, my aunt and uncle, my mom and dad, Poppy's brother and nephew. We were quite a crew. But, because he was feeling so uncomfortable, we disbanded without our final "cheers" and without my cousin and his beautiful wife Mara being able to share the news that they were expecting a baby, a little boy who would come to share Poppy's name - David Parker Tracy. So please allow me to introduce to you my sweet baby cousin, David Parker Tracy the Fourth. Poppy would have called him "big guy" and he would have been so, overwhelmingly proud. We miss you every day, Poppy, but your legacy lives on. I know this baby will live up to his namesake. Sorry, Mara, but that might possibly mean a love of vulgar humor and cheap, vile wine.