Leo

Today David Leo Doran would be 87 years old.

He is the father of my father. He was such an awesome grandpa. He always made sure every Christmas was epic. I remember presents being piled, at least seemingly so, taller than me. He was so patient and funny and fun-loving. He loved to laugh, although sometimes he would cry at funny things. He was sick with parkinson’s for almost all my life, but somehow seemed larger than life.

For some reason, this year has been exceptionally hard on me. I have cried several times today thinking about his strength and wisdom. He was always up for a hug and a big kiss on top of his bald head.

I am realizing there is a lot I don’t know about him. For instance, when i think about how much Lula Faye, his wife/my grandma, absolutely adored him, it makes me wonder what it was about him that invoked those feelings. Everyone, and I mean everyone, that knew him (to my knowledge) spoke highly of him. Some to the extent that it made me a little uncomfortable. There have been some who speak about him as though he were flawless. I am certain he wasn’t, but I couldn’t prove it.