A Father’s Legacy

Part 1

 

Friday, November 17, 2006

 

To: Cheri, Walt, Mike, Sharon, Maria, Diane, Craig, Antonio, Ava, Samantha, Carolyn, and Kari-Lyn

 

Subject: Thank you

 

Dear Shipmates (or as Craig aptly put it recently in an e-mail—“Shiftmates”):

 

Thank you each for your condolences regarding my father’s passing on Wednesday. For what it’s worth, here are a few thoughts so far. For those of you who have had a similar occurrence in your lives, perhaps we can compare notes.

 

My first impression: A degree of shock—like being pushed into a swimming pool unexpectedly. One’s life has changed, and behold, the great mystery—death—presents itself. It’s an “in-your-face” kind of thing.

 

The next morning: It appears to be just another day. The earth turns, impassively, the weather is unconcerned. The trees, the surroundings, all the same. It becomes oddly apparent—life simply, indifferently, goes on.

 

Now ahead is the funeral, on Monday. It certainly will be peculiar to see my father lying in a casket. In September my folks celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary. I will be wondering what thoughts are going through my mother’s mind.

 

Well, there is no stopping this. No ignoring or denying it. So we will travel to Wisconsin, my family and I, to attend.

 

Thank you all again for your kindness.

 

Richard                                               

 

                  For Part 2, click here.

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