17 across: witty, honest, pure, clumsy, proud, wise. 3 letters, begins with T.

Working on my speech for my dad’s service tomorrow. Having some fun with it.

It’s going to be a somber day in most ways. Somehow, we have to liven it up. Not in a rip-roaring, shot glass kind of way, but just something with a little, pardon the terribly inappropriate pun, with a little life in it.

I don’t he’d want us to mope around and bow our heads and remain silent and serious. But not dancing on the tables, either. Somewhere in between.

I think he’d be happiest if everyone did at least one answer on a crossword puzzle. I never do crossword puzzles. Maybe it’s time I started. It’s helped me with the opening of my speech. I’ll walk up to the mic as if I don’t notice where I am, that I don’t realize I’m at the front of a room about to give a speech. I’m too absorbed in my own world. Hey, I’m busy with my crossword puzzle.

17 across: witty, honest, pure, clumsy, proud, wise. 3 letters, begins with T.

Tom. Or maybe it begins with a D. Dad.