I find myself wishing I knew then what I know now. This photo was taken in 1972 so I would have been six, Mark would have been five, and Pop (Frank Burd) would have been 81 years old. It was taken at his house in Peoria. I liked to visit him at his home. It was a neat house, and Pop was always doing things. He always had mints for us and would give us quarters or fifty-cent pieces. Those coins always went into my piggy bank, and I am treasuring them today.

This brings me back to what I wish I knew then and now. I would tell myself to talk to him. I would ask Frank about his childhood and his Uncle, the doctor. About his choice to move to Chicago and the issues he faced being of German heritage. About him and Anna. About his faith. About baseball. About dealing cards and why he smoked a cigar. And probably many more questions.

This month Pop would have celebrated his 133rd birthday! WOW! We were so lucky and blessed to have had him for as long as we did. I hope that I can share my memories of him with my children and great-grandchildren so our future generations will always remember our Pop.