Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Shadow of a Father



Dad has been gone for almost 10 years now.  When your father is no longer there to hug you and make all things better, Father's Day becomes a time for remembering the little things.  Though my daddy was not one to sit around and read books of poetry, from time to time he shared his school days by reciting his favorite childhood poem to me.  The poem is My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Daddy would always get a twinkle in his eye as he quickly recited the words.  I loved to hear him say those words because it took both of us back to his own childhood.  Usually, he followed his recitation with the story about walking to school for many miles.  What child of the '50s has not heard that one?  Though the poem has several verses, I am sharing only the first. It has even more meaning today because I still walk in my father's shadow as his little girl. Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  The memory of your voice saying the words will always make me smile.  Happy Father's Day to all of you fantastic dads out there who have children walking in your shadow.  May you give them the same happy memories that my own daddy gave to me.
     
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
(excerpted from My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson)         














3 comments:

Kathy said...

Aw, nice memories of your Dad.
I did giggle at the reference to walking all the way to school, ect. Oh those stories are the best! My grandpap used to spin some good yarns to, but I do think most of those were true. Not an easy life those young ones had.
I just noticed your grand daughter calls you "Missy", never heard that one, how darling. We have a lot of Me Me's in the South...lol. But Missy is so sweet.

Silvina {Enlunada} said...

Let me share with you a pray by Saint Agustin:
Don´t cry if you loved me.If you knew the gift of God
and what Heaven is.
If you could hear the angels singing
and see me among them...
If, only for an instant, you could contemplate,
just like me,
the Beauty before which all beauties turn pale.
Trust me.
When the day, which god has stated and knows, arrives
and your soul, which has been preceded by mine,
enters this Heaven,
That day you will see me again,
you will feel that I still love you,
that I have always loved you
and you will find my heart
with all its love purified.

You will see me in transfiguration,
in an ecstasy of happiness.
No longer waiting for death,
but walking with you
and holding your hand along new paths of light and life.

So, wipe your tears away
and don´t cry, if you love me...

A huge hug!

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