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Mply 66. A Moment To Remember

By the early 1970's Alphy had set up a workshop in the basement of the couple’s home. He spent much time in his work- shop, doing carpenter work and sketching with oil paints. He particularly enjoyed painting scenes of animals in the wilderness. Alphy spent many hours in his workshop while Margurita busied herself with the household chores.

Another pastime Alphy had developed was playing his favorite records on the stereo in the kitchen. He would sit by the hour in the big wooden rocker, which he had designated as ‘his chair’. He would rock in slow motion, while listening to the music. His favorite record was one by Harry Hibbs. On the record, Harry Hibbs sang a song called “Sweet Sixteen”. Some of the words went like this:

“I gazed upon the setting sun as it sank below the hill, it appeared no larger than it was when we were sweet sixteen.”

The song had a special appeal to Alphy, because he too would find himself reminiscing about years gone by. The words of the song also brought back fond memories:

“The little fish swim in the stream, as they did so long ago

The little meadow by the brook

is just as fresh and green.”

The words of the song concluded:

“Oh how I long for those bright days to come again once more,

but come again they never will

For now I'm sixty-four.”

The song also held a special meaning because Alphy at this time was sixty-four years old. He often told Margurita that the song

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