The Monday after my dad died, I was back home in Austin after spending most of the prior two weeks with him and my mom in Iowa, and I had a kind of surprise day off on what looked to be a beautiful day, so I took the black mouth cur out for a nice long amble into the woods behind the factories and back along the river. We hadn’t gotten very far before I came upon this antler shed, down in the ravine that runs behind the construction supply yard, a place where sometimes one finds the remains of old televisions. Antlers are always strengthening signs, and this one had a nice heft as I carried it all the way with me on our walk.
It’s a blessing you were able to share time with your Dad as he prepared to leave. I got to do that with my father and I count myself incredibly lucky. I hope your memories of him help assuage your grief at losing him.
Your reference to The Vinland Saga was serendipity. My Dad had a library that was a hodgepodge of genre. When I was fairly young I read a book he had about Lief Eriksson. I found it fascinating and bits and pieces of information from it have floated around in my head for nigh on 60 years. But, we were a military family and in one of our moves the book disappeared. I couldn’t remember the author, neither could my Dad. I clicked on the link you gave us and voilá, there was the book. I’m going to reread it now. Thanks for the nostalgic nudge.
My condolences on your loss. I sit here, frustrated by my first hit of Covid, on the week I was supposed to drive 6 hours and spend a few days with my own parents, as I receive almost daily phone calls from Mom about the difficulties Dad is having. My oldest son gets married next spring and the jury is out as to if he will make it there. The slippage is hard to hear about and to know you can do nothing.
As for butterflies v moths, I was told (and have looked it up now to confirm) that the easiest way to tell the difference is butterflies at rest tend to fold their wings up, while moths tend to lay their wings flat.
All my sympathy on the loss of your dad, but I’m glad you were able to be with him and glad he was engaged and alert right up until the end. That is a true blessing. The stories we tell ourselves when death reminds us that we’re mortal may be metaphors or for comfort, but they exist for good reason. I love the moth. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the book.
Condolences to you and your family. For a man of 83 years, my father is in relatively good health, and in our phone visits he tells me he’s fine but says, “you’ll know when you have to come home.” I’ve had to move for work, but not a day goes by that l don’t think about not being with him in the last part of his journey. I’m glad you got to spend time with your dad.
Oct 9, 2022·edited Oct 9, 2022Liked by Christopher Brown
Condolences for your father's death. The death of one's father is more difficult to accept than one's own inevitable end because, at some level, we regard our fathers as immortal. Spiritually, perhaps they are.
Congratulations on the publication of your Empty Lots book.
so often grief is numbing or awkward. here you are blessed by dad via moth, blessed with perceptive feeling and graceful words. well done
Just lovely, Chris ❤️
So sorry about your Dad ... glad you found that antler
It’s a blessing you were able to share time with your Dad as he prepared to leave. I got to do that with my father and I count myself incredibly lucky. I hope your memories of him help assuage your grief at losing him.
Your reference to The Vinland Saga was serendipity. My Dad had a library that was a hodgepodge of genre. When I was fairly young I read a book he had about Lief Eriksson. I found it fascinating and bits and pieces of information from it have floated around in my head for nigh on 60 years. But, we were a military family and in one of our moves the book disappeared. I couldn’t remember the author, neither could my Dad. I clicked on the link you gave us and voilá, there was the book. I’m going to reread it now. Thanks for the nostalgic nudge.
Really felt this Chris. A poignant homage to a Midwest Dad, who sounds to me exactly like the kind of person who raised a son like you.
My condolences on your loss. I sit here, frustrated by my first hit of Covid, on the week I was supposed to drive 6 hours and spend a few days with my own parents, as I receive almost daily phone calls from Mom about the difficulties Dad is having. My oldest son gets married next spring and the jury is out as to if he will make it there. The slippage is hard to hear about and to know you can do nothing.
As for butterflies v moths, I was told (and have looked it up now to confirm) that the easiest way to tell the difference is butterflies at rest tend to fold their wings up, while moths tend to lay their wings flat.
All my sympathy on the loss of your dad, but I’m glad you were able to be with him and glad he was engaged and alert right up until the end. That is a true blessing. The stories we tell ourselves when death reminds us that we’re mortal may be metaphors or for comfort, but they exist for good reason. I love the moth. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the book.
Sorry for your loss. Lovely tribute to your dad.
Condolences to you and your family. For a man of 83 years, my father is in relatively good health, and in our phone visits he tells me he’s fine but says, “you’ll know when you have to come home.” I’ve had to move for work, but not a day goes by that l don’t think about not being with him in the last part of his journey. I’m glad you got to spend time with your dad.
Moving palabras my friend♥️‼️👊🏽
Condolences for your father's death. The death of one's father is more difficult to accept than one's own inevitable end because, at some level, we regard our fathers as immortal. Spiritually, perhaps they are.
Congratulations on the publication of your Empty Lots book.