My dad died six years ago. I don't think about him very often because when I do I can hardly stand the feelings.
Dad was a complicated person. Not always nice, and sometimes even cruel. Even a little bit scary. But also:
Loving. A wonderful person to talk to about books and about problems.
Charismatic. His light shone on everything around him. He was brilliant. He knew things, and he knew how to think about things. He understood jokes. He understood me.
He never laughed at me, not even when I was at my most puerile. He made me feel as if I was a force to be reckoned with, even when I was young and stupid. He loved me for my writing, my conversation, my poetry, my soul, my spirit. His eyes told me I was a worthy friend.
When he hugged me close his big red beard tickled my cheek.
.
22 comments:
Its great that you have those memories of him :)
xoxox for you, leah. this was beautiful.
Lovely memories, Leah. xoxoxo
Such wonderful memories. I'm so envious. (Thinking of you today.) x
Thank you so very much, ladies.
Such feeling, I wanted you to tell me even more about him. This was lovely.
Bth--thank you for your sweet comment! I'm going to write more about him. He was an interesting man, even objectively...
I'm sending warm thought your way today. I love that 'His light shone on everything around him'. People like that are so nice to be around. And I think he is still around you shining his light : )
I think it is safe to say, at some point, we all feared our Dads. Only some of us reach the point you have.
No words I ever heard meant more to me than, "I'm proud of you son."
tears...he sounds like a wonderful man...
The bad and the good and the love. Life's turns causes so many behaviors that we don't understand. I have a couple of people that I try so hard to remember the good and forgiving the bad is a little easier.
What lovely memories. I like complicated. :)
sweet memories--he is with you always
Leah, this post touched me deeply.
Thank you for that.
Sounds like a pretty first -rate Dad to me. You were lucky.
Is that you in the photo? Quite a looker. A beautiful babe.
*Hugs*
Sx
I don't have one single memory of my father.
Cherish yours.
My father has a red scratchy beard.
I'm glad you have been able to move past the cruel parts.
I envy you your relationship with your father. I love how you write about him with such authenticity, including the complex and the not understood. He sounds like a marvelous man.
not a day goes by that i am not reminded of mine.
You write so elloquently of yours... thank you...
I know the feeling although my Dad was different but stll I miss him. He died 7 years ago hard to believe. Miss him much.
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