Our Fathers

"Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name." ~William Wordsworth

My friend’s father’s funeral was today. Her mother died about six months ago. The four children and four grandchildren gathered to send off this man graciously and tenderly. The grandchildren all spoke of their memories and my friend and her husband signed their accolades. He had now gone to join his beloved wife and he had managed to die, quite suddenly in the end, at home, as he wished. At his wife's funeral, he had said see you soon and he was serious, as he was about many things in life.

My friend who is Deaf began by sharing that her dad never learned ASL—which was true—but they would still communicate, resorting to pen and paper if need be. She spoke of a man who she knew loved her. I knew him. In fact, I know the family quite well. I had not seen the daughter who had moved out of province for a long while. When I went to extend my condolences, both she and her husband looked at me for a moment as I said her name, and then she cried out, “Suzanne!” and gave me a big hug. I had written in the sympathy card to the family that their parents had raised a solid family and as I went to each of them during the reception, I knew that this was true. They knew that they were loved. Our fathers make a lifelong impression upon us. I know mine has.

Peace,

Suzanne