Such a great story Caroline. While I didn’t know either of the individuals, I feel I can relate to your story with my dad and his siblings, friends, his army buddies or his customers, instead of coffee it was Pepsi and there were always jokes and much laughter. I also wish to believe that my dad has met up with those family, friends and comrades who have passed. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathy, I’m so glad you can relate. I love the Pepsi substituted for coffee. I think those times of laughter really draw the family together and make for great memories. I really wanted to find a photo of them together to add at the end, but in the end I didn’t find one.
Hi Barbara, thank you so much for the appreciation of the story. It took a long time to gel in my mind. Thanks also for the enthusiasm about my illustrations — that made my day.
–Caroline
!! Caroline !! Somehow you have captured the essence of Dad and Marvin. It’s a complex – I marvel at how you embedded the joke ( a story unto itself) within the bigger story and timeline.
There are so many aspects of the drawings that caught my attention. I like how you pivot the perspective from big panoramic city scene to a detailed up close “snapshot” of the two boys. And then carried that arm in arm theme from young to older. And the final snapshot of them floating and laughing in heavenly realm – wow. Certainly opened up the tear ducts! The whole thing touched my heart in a very special way. Thank you xoxo
Hi Marianne, What a wonderful and complete comment. I worked really hard on this post,, and I did shed tears as I colored several of these panels. You totally grasped the shift in perspective. Also thanks for the recognition of the joke — I almost left if out. You would make a good Roger Ebert II!
Hi Caroline
You still have the gift. I am head over heels to see that you have started telling stories again. I hope that you are well and enjoying life. Your ability to draw your characters and use words to complete the picture is a talent beyond measure. I still go back to all the ones you have done in the past when I need a lift up, and it always leaves me feeling better than when I started. Thank you!
Hi Pam. What a pleasure to see you in the Comments box! I really appreciate the praise for Crayons. You are a fellow artists and thus, know about standards and the quest for high quality. I have just started up after a ten-year break, so I’m feeling rusty. I know that you have looked at my older posts, so your positive feedback means a lot. I hope to get better and better as more posts come out. — Caroline
crayons encore 
Love this one! You captured the laughter shared between the two of them!
Thanks Dave! I think we share share memories of those hilarious moments. Thanks for the comment, Caroline
Such a great story Caroline. While I didn’t know either of the individuals, I feel I can relate to your story with my dad and his siblings, friends, his army buddies or his customers, instead of coffee it was Pepsi and there were always jokes and much laughter. I also wish to believe that my dad has met up with those family, friends and comrades who have passed. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathy, I’m so glad you can relate. I love the Pepsi substituted for coffee. I think those times of laughter really draw the family together and make for great memories. I really wanted to find a photo of them together to add at the end, but in the end I didn’t find one.
What a beautiful story! And your illustrations are marvelous and make the story come alive! ❤️
Hi Barbara, thank you so much for the appreciation of the story. It took a long time to gel in my mind. Thanks also for the enthusiasm about my illustrations — that made my day.
–Caroline
!! Caroline !! Somehow you have captured the essence of Dad and Marvin. It’s a complex – I marvel at how you embedded the joke ( a story unto itself) within the bigger story and timeline.
There are so many aspects of the drawings that caught my attention. I like how you pivot the perspective from big panoramic city scene to a detailed up close “snapshot” of the two boys. And then carried that arm in arm theme from young to older. And the final snapshot of them floating and laughing in heavenly realm – wow. Certainly opened up the tear ducts! The whole thing touched my heart in a very special way. Thank you xoxo
Hi Marianne, What a wonderful and complete comment. I worked really hard on this post,, and I did shed tears as I colored several of these panels. You totally grasped the shift in perspective. Also thanks for the recognition of the joke — I almost left if out. You would make a good Roger Ebert II!
Hi Caroline
You still have the gift. I am head over heels to see that you have started telling stories again. I hope that you are well and enjoying life. Your ability to draw your characters and use words to complete the picture is a talent beyond measure. I still go back to all the ones you have done in the past when I need a lift up, and it always leaves me feeling better than when I started. Thank you!
Hi Pam. What a pleasure to see you in the Comments box! I really appreciate the praise for Crayons. You are a fellow artists and thus, know about standards and the quest for high quality. I have just started up after a ten-year break, so I’m feeling rusty. I know that you have looked at my older posts, so your positive feedback means a lot. I hope to get better and better as more posts come out. — Caroline