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| REMEMBERING FATHER
BY Sharon Allen, MFA From the Green Fields of Kentucky To our Arizona Home Lay the memories of childhood Which in our hearts still burn. Although the path we took Was steep and dark at times, Your willingness to lead us Is always in my mind. The lessons you taught us, The lessons we learned are gifts Of life from heaven Where we shall all return. So if by now you do not know How I hold you in my heart, I hold you as my father From whom I never part. |
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| Life with dad was often times a struggle – he was strong willed and like a true Irishman, loved a bit of whiskey and a good scrap come Saturday night. If my mother was the Rose in my life (and she was!) then my father was the thorn!
One summer long after I had left home and had children of my own, I was blessed with a very numinous experience that revealed the deep love that my Dad held for me and for all eight of my siblings . . . I came to the simple truth that my Dad had done the best that he knew how to do. Wasn’t I doing the same for my own children and didn’t they often think it wasn’t right or enough? I called him immediately to share this revelation and to thank him for doing his best and for caring as deeply as he did.. Years later, losing his eyesight and consequently his ability to drive his car, my father decided to end his life. The night of his funeral he came to me in a dream visit and gave me a butterfly. I knew then that he was happy to have made his transition and wanted to ease any pain that it may have caused me. I was grateful for this last gift and oh, so thankful that I had shared this poem with him along with a few tears so many years ago. |
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