Sir Rafa's Birthday - I'll Be Seeing You

July 1st is Sir Rafa's birthday. He used to joke that while his birthday is merely days before our country's birthday, that it didn't mean that he was older than our country! ;)

He would've been 97-years-old today.

Here's his official photo as an E-5, from his Army days during WWII.

Oma and Sir Rafa are dancing at the Enlisted Club at Ft. Bliss, circa late 1940s.

Of course, here are my grandparents at my wedding.

© 2002 Brad Baskin

And another photo of my grandfather, this time with my mom at the reception.

© 2002 Brad Baskin

So today I just wanted to dedicate a song to him - Frank Sinatra's "I'll Be Seeing You." I used this song at my wedding reception as the "last song" of the evening, so the song reminds me of that happy day. Sir Rafa was able to attend; I'm so grateful that he and my grandmother, Oma, were a part of that beautiful day.

When I hear this song, I think of my wedding, but I also realize that I think of him (and "see" him) "in all the old familiar places." Plus, he loved all that great Big Band type of music.

So this one's for you, Sir Rafa . . .