I’m amazed at how fast a year has flown by. A reminder came to me this afternoon in the form of an email from my surrogate father’s wife S.D.B. I wrote a story about him just after he passed away. You can read it here if you want.
“…a year ago today you made that fateful trip to see us and my mind has been on those last days lately. It was wonderful of you to come and I know R.E.B. knew you and was pleased to have you with him. Maybe he was waiting for you, because he slipped away as you headed home….”
R.E.B. … I miss you and I love you.
Onward. With caricatures and soldiers and prints and stories and memories and pictures and all of the things that you and I so loved together.
15 comments:
Goodness, I remember reading your tribute to him. I know her note hit like a ton of bricks. Amazing how that void and sadness all comes rushing back. Trust me, I understand. Xoxo
A very special tribute!The kind of poignancy you don't easily forget!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Beautiful!
What a wonderful tribute to a man who had such an impact on your life.
I was fortunate to have my Ol' Man around until my youngest was 12....but along the way there have been other older men who helped me along....a Prof. at Lehigh for one....and a Judge I clerked for....Thanks for reminding us of the importance of these guys in our lives.
Loves live in memories.
This made me incredibly sad today. I am now thinking of the people I can no longer turn to for a laugh and a listen. It was amazing that you went to see him before he left. That was an important thing to do.
SFBayArea
Thank you for sharing this very personal, but moving story. I am sorry for your loss, but glad you were able to have this wonderful relationship.
Oh Max. Too much. I'm with SF, this has put a rock in my gut today.
REB may not have been able to tell you at the last, but I hope you knew he adored you right back. What a magical relationship, initiated by you and taken up in full by this marvelous gentleman.
SDB, if you're reading, you sound pretty great to me; hope you're weathering this terrible anniversary, indeed hoping that it was maybe helped along a little by ADG's deeply felt tribute.
It sounds very serendipitous, but I'm not surprised that you had the energy and determination to have found and kept him.
"The past is never dead. It's not even past." Wm Faulkner
As A.D.G. knows, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor B. three decades ago as I was struggling to get my Senior Thesis on the Abdication Crisis of 1936 to critical mass over summer break. Ever the eminent scholar of British History, he provided keen insights that enabled me to write an award winning paper and regaled me with interesting information about the Meuse - Argonne offensive of 1918 in which my grandfather, a then recent ROTC graduate of the University of Michigan, served as a low level aide to American commander Hunter Liggett. What a guy!
You in turn are a sartorial father/mentor in the blogosphere, sir.
"When one has not had a good father, one must create one."
Nietzsche
No sadness here! Tons...tons of gratitude for the opportunity to be a small part of a life well lived. Also, I'm gratified that even though LFG will never remember meeting REB...he did get to spend one afternoon with her. Hugely important to me. Onward. It's all good. Even in Dallas.
But LFG will remember the story. What a great example you've set, to take time for the important people in your life.
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