My Dad's Place

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   Quilligrapherposted 10 years ago

   Each day I drive past my dad's place.
   My respects I never stop to pay.
   My life drives me past at a hectic pace,
   Like there's never enough time in the day.
   
   What a beautiful site for a manor:
   Green lawns roll for as far as eye can see;
   Wrought iron stretches between brick pillars.
   Arches, gates, asphalt roads inviting me.
   
   The shrubs are all shaped, neatly trimmed and green.
   No signs of clutter, no trace of debris.
   As tidy and peaceful as ever I've seen:
   No disorder, not a leaf from a tree.
   
   I recall, last time we parted, he smiled.
   Between us there was never much to say.
   How I regret that. Even as a child
   Seems like never enough time in the day.
   
   And so, each day, I drive past my dad's place
   I see row after row of white granite.
   And I know as the tears stream down my face,
   One of those stones has his name on it.
   
   
                                    -Quilligrapher
                                    -September 12, 2000

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      wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My own dad's place is in another town
      But a town that I visit now and then.
      When I do, it's time for a slowing down
      Remembering as I stroll through the glen
      
      Thinking of days long past, with my own Dad
      I speak to Dad, quietly, in my mind.
      I finally stop, as I did when a lad
      At the feet of the man that "Dad" defined.

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      1. 72

         Quilligrapherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Well said, Wilderness. Thank you.
         

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   bBereanposted 10 years ago

   Very nice, Quill.  Thanks for the reminder, as I am fortunate to still be in the first part of your poem.  I know that time is increasingly limited and need to do better with it to mitigate future regret.
   
   Wilderness, I liked your addition as well.  This seemed a nice opportunity to acknowledge something positive and share a kind word with two gentlemen I do respect but find myself at odds with in most forums. 
   
   Happy Father's day.

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      wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you bBerean.  Being at odds does not mean that respect or civility must die, and you make an example of that by always being pleasant.
      
      Thank you as well, for the good wishes; plans are made to spend the day with son, daughter in law and grandkids.  Looks to be a great time, going to the zoo and a small movie theater where you eat dinner during the movie.

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         bBereanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Sounds like an excellent day in the making, Wilderness.  I am a bit jealous of your "dinner theater".   
         
         Both my child and father have extreme health issues, making each Father's Day with them both still here, a blessing.

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   2. 72

      Quilligrapherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      A happy Father's Day to you as well, bBerean. May you enjoy the company of both your son and dad for many years to come.
      

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   Motown2Chitownposted 10 years ago

   Belated Father's Day greetings to all of you, gentleman.
   
   The one thing that unites every man is that he is another man's son.  You all demonstrated that unity in this thread and it was awesome to see.  Your fathers must be (or must have been) wonderful men, and there's no easier way to recognize that than to see the fondness and respect with which you honored them here.

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   1. 72

      Quilligrapherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Mo, for your very kind comment. Your words are greatly appreciated.
      

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      bBereanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I just saw this Mo, and also want to thank you sincerely for the very kind words.

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         Motown2Chitownposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         To you and all the other participants in the thread, it just made me smile and I was touched deeply.  Of course, it made me miss my dad too, but there is indeed something very important about the relationship between a father and the man he helped his son to become, so thank you.

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