You Be

Goddamn careful....

Sidney Robert La Tray 11/10/1940 – 10/30/2014

Whenever anyone in our family went anywhere, my dad would say, “You be goddamn careful!” It’s become something we all say to each other now.

Other times he’d tell me, “If you get pulled over, just act ignorant. You’re pretty good at it.”

I just want to leave these images of this beautiful man here today in honor of his birthday, on this year, the 10th anniversary of his passing, at a time when his story is out for thousands of people to hear. He would probably be horrified; he was more intensely private than I am.

I’ve learned so much in the last few years, and this year especially, taking his story, our story, out to the public; learned new things about my dad, his family, my family, that I feel closer to them than ever. It is a gift in many ways, but also incredibly painful in others.

I have more pics but these are sufficient.

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My dad’s family portrait. He’s the upper right, if it isn’t obvious.

I’m the bulbous-headed infant. Dad is standing a stair step below my mom and my grandfather.

For everyone who has joined me through reading this newsletter, and especially Becoming Little Shell, I am beyond grateful.