When we’re young, most of us wouldn’t have admitted that our parents know a thing or two if our lives depended on it. But I find as I get older I see more and more wisdom, encouragement and value in the knowledge of the folks who came before us.
Sounds to me like your Dad is a tremendous person, and an excellent writer David, and I’m glad we get to learn from his experience through your sharing his writing.
Thanks.
Thanks, all. There are moments when it is very friggin’ handy to be a writer. This whole process with my dad has called on my writing: from detailed e-mails to my sisters to recording Dad’s life for various purposes.
Has anybody else found this to be the case?
I think it also helps us to focus on the truly important things that in completing the busy day-to-day activity, we can sometimes lose track of.
By putting our attention back onto those important things we see, notice and re-connect with a favourite comment or experience with this person we love and are having to come to terms with saying goodbye to.
As hard as that is (and it IS hard) having the ability as a writer to grab hold of that and record it in a meaningful way, not only for ourselves, but for others who also care for our loved ones (kids, friends, etc.) is, I think, a gift. I hope that the writing you are doing about your Dad will give you some modicum of comfort in the longer term.
Eileen Burmeister says
Great article, David. And a great thing to write during this time with your Dad’s illness.
Kristen says
When we’re young, most of us wouldn’t have admitted that our parents know a thing or two if our lives depended on it. But I find as I get older I see more and more wisdom, encouragement and value in the knowledge of the folks who came before us.
Sounds to me like your Dad is a tremendous person, and an excellent writer David, and I’m glad we get to learn from his experience through your sharing his writing.
Thanks.
Susan says
David, Thank you for sharing this with us. I’d love to meet your Dad in person and hear the stories he has to tell.
David Murray says
Thanks, all. There are moments when it is very friggin’ handy to be a writer. This whole process with my dad has called on my writing: from detailed e-mails to my sisters to recording Dad’s life for various purposes.
Has anybody else found this to be the case?
Ron Shewchuk says
When people close to us are dying, we all become writers for awhile. The nearness of death helps define the soul, which is what writing is all about.
Kristen says
I think it also helps us to focus on the truly important things that in completing the busy day-to-day activity, we can sometimes lose track of.
By putting our attention back onto those important things we see, notice and re-connect with a favourite comment or experience with this person we love and are having to come to terms with saying goodbye to.
As hard as that is (and it IS hard) having the ability as a writer to grab hold of that and record it in a meaningful way, not only for ourselves, but for others who also care for our loved ones (kids, friends, etc.) is, I think, a gift. I hope that the writing you are doing about your Dad will give you some modicum of comfort in the longer term.