-July 25, 2015, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada; Rush performs ‘Animate’ on their last tour.

…”I know, it’s just a day;” Or so said my Dad staring down his last few days in this life. He was referring to sticking around and celebrating this writer’s 52nd birthday later in 2021. We spoke about anything and everything; him, mom and me right up to his ultimate day, July 25th. Four years on it’s today again, and our bodies know. “I know, it’s just a day…”

-July 25, 2021, Sedona, Arizona; After a long dry spell, heavy rains bring fog, mist and morning dew to the Sedona desert.

What’s in a given day? Quite a lot. Good and bad. Days, dates and years can align and layer in mysterious ways. Then again, perhaps we see what we want to see, imbuing meanings of our own into life’s celebrations and travails.

-July 25, 2021, moody morning dew, Sedona, Arizona.

July 25th a decade ago, was the last trip my family ever took together. The destination? Las Vegas, Nevada; The city of my mom and dad’s marriage in 1967, my conception in 1968, the city of innumerable visitations, experiences, milestones, musical moments and deeper connections through time.

-July 25, 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada; Rocking my vintage 1985 Rush Concert Tee before the band’s R40 performance at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Art and music have a way of communicating complicated feelings in helping us navigate life’s myriad changes. Losing loved ones…our fellow co-travelers in this life is hard, yet the passing of time acts as a salve of sorts for those left behind. It’s all a mystery, and today is all we have. Love one another.

“Don’t sweat it, thread it to forget it, to feel like you’re already gone, To the rest of, the rest of the life that you’ve got” ~ ‘Suture up your future’, Queens of the Stone Age

-July 10, 2008, Scottsdale, Arizona; Mom’s 64th birthday, Love is Forever.