Thursday, January 18, 2007

In A Nutshell
III

In a Nutshell

A place set aside to answer 201 autobiographical questions from a mother for her daughter. This may take awhile...join us if you like.


3. One of my father's traits I admired most was?
My father was always the sunshine of my life. He had strawberry blond hair and deep green eyes and was very handsome. His singing voice was comfort and glory to me, and he sang often. And he loved me totally, unconditionally. He understood more about children than my mother did, and was both a firmer and a gentler disciplinarian. He never spanked; he did not believe that people should hit each other, and larger people hitting smaller people were just bullies. I can't remember him ever belittling or scolding or reminding anyone of previous lapses. But all he had to say to me was, "I'm disappointed" and I was ready to undertake anything to change.

There was never any doubt that he loved my mother and me. He was able to say it often and show it regularly. He laughed easily and delighted in making other people laugh. Being in his presence was like being in a meadow on a warm spring day.

And when we lost him, it was like the light had gone out of the universe.

5 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

J....that's exactly how I felt about my dad...and his passing. Beautiful souls that we were very lucky to have in our lives and who will be with us for the rest of our days.

kenju said...

Aw, that's so sad, MG. How old were you when your father died?

That going home story was quite an ordeal. We have a dusting of snow this morning, but nothing like you have to deal with.

J said...

I wish I could have known him. That's one argument for an afterlife, huh? Wishful type argument, that is.

Maya's Granny said...

Kenju - I was six when my father died.

gawilli said...

Your dad and my dad were kindred spirits. I was 18 when my dad died. I sure wish I would have known him as an adult.