Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Fathers Day

A beautifully written article by Canadian author and columnist, Ian Brown.  An homage to his father.


Peter Henry Brown, born Feb. 7, 1914, at Winchmore Hill in north London, Essex, was one of the indestructible war generation. He played his last game of squash at 87, lived with his first and only wife in their own house until her death at 95, and was still going to work twice a week – he was a scrap-metal broker – at 98.

People liked having him around: He never willingly wanted to embarrass anyone, wasn’t pushy and was a good listener with a ready laugh and an eager interest in the news of the day – especially news that reeked of impending economic doom. He liked to be the one who read the omens first. He had lived, after all, through a stretch of history when they abounded.




6 comments:

  1. It doesn’t matter how rational the death of your father is. It is never rational enough.

    The troubling thing about time is that it is a cruel master. We all know that we will go at some point but we still assume is some abstract point in the future.

    When my parents passed away it more more like the end of an era: by that point neither my father nor my mother was the person who guided me through my youth.

    I was also in the position of losing my older brother before I lost either of my parents -- a death from "natural causes," if there really is such a thing at age 52. Because of this maybe my view is skewed. After losing a brother, losing your parents is anticlimactic.

    I am fortunate to go to school with some fine young people. It is comforting to know there are good people to continue when you are gone.

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    1. Happy Fathers Day darling, you have been a fine father to your son.

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  2. Well, I hope all the fathers of the table (Matt, DWT, Ari, ...) had a great day yesterday. Matt, I hope you got to spend some time with your son- either in person or on the phone. Sorry the you could not spend it with you dad or brother. I'm fortunate that even though I lost my mother a few years back, my father is still chugging along- despite his best efforts ( he's had few accidents that could have easily either ended it for him or put him in long-term care). I got to hang out with him a bit Saturday night.

    I really have to work on seeing him more often. Not just for the fact that he still has some great stories that I haven't heard yet.

    Anyhow, I did get to spend the day with my three boys. The took me to play miniature golf (which was- to no surprise- a very popular idea with just about every other kid in the county). We still had a great time. They took me out to dinner too! (Mmmmm... dinner) but that's a story for another day.

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  3. Gahh! My browser's acting up and won't let me copy & paste. However, the description of the motorcycle ride- in the linked article- has made the Rush song, Red Barchetta, play in and endless loop through my head.

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  4. Happy Father's Day to all the TCKT dads!

    Matt, you have such a good heart. I don't think you have a "skewed" view; children are supposed to outlive their folks. When it doesn't happen that way, the world gets turned on its head. I understand what you mean when you talk about going to school with the youngsters; it's uplifting!

    Alphie, I'm so glad you were able to spend time with your dad on Saturday, and enjoy Father's Day with your wonderful boys! :)

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  5. We had a wonderful celebration here, with four generations giving our thanks and appreciation. Although my biological father is gone, my stepdad has been been a true blessing in my life for thirty years, and I love him dearly. He was too sick for a lengthy celebration, but we all went to him with presents, cards, and lots of hugs and kisses. He's an amazing dad, grandpa, and great grandpa.

    Thank God for all the men who have the love and capacity to gather up not just a woman, but an entire family into their arms, in all its generations, and make the world a much better place.

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