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We Gathered Together - 2001Jun 11 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line My Father was not an eloquent speaker. His words always came from the heart but - more importantly - he taught by example.
Fathers Day 2001 is just around the corner. It used to be one of my favorite holidays. Now it is more like ripping the scab off of a partially healed wound. Eight years! Eight years and still – it hurts! Though not very evident in today’s society, some men—some fathers—help keep families together. My Dad was one of these. He was the “poster child” for Family. In about six days it will be 17 June 2001—Father’s Day. The extended Gungian family reveled in a long-standing family tradition. On Father’s Day our clan—at least those who could make it—gathered at my sister’s [SurgRN911] in North Carolina. We journeyed from New England, Seattle, Texas – from cities near and far. This was “the” family day of the year for us. In some years many came—in some years there were few. As we aged and our children bore children, it was not uncommon for the gathering to include three or four generations. Though not the family elder, my Father somehow inspired [some would say instigated] these assemblies. He was the paternal paste that helped bond this diverse band together. While none of us were perfect individuals, we were always perfectly family when . . . We Gathered Together “F” We gathered together, when Dad was still here Gastonia, Father’s Day, every year. “A” We gathered together, from nearby and far Some came by airplane, some drove a car. “T” We gathered together, we twigs from the tree Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, a Nephew or three. “H” We gathered together, round Di’s backyard pool The old clucking mildly, the young lookin’ cool. “E” We gathered together, shared great things to eat Jumped in the water, to flee summer’s heat. “R” We gathered together, quaffed Pepsi and beer Made up wild stories, of those absent here. “’s” We gathered together, raved on ‘bout our kin Joe’s looking heavy, ain’t Bob gettin’ thin. “D” We gathered together, told true tales and wild Ed’s getting’ married, is Charly with child? “A” We gathered together, ole’ Ted to young Ash Our annual, family, Father’s Day bash. “Y” We gathered together, when Dad was still here Father’s Day just won’t be like that this year! Our extended family has changed in the intervening eight years since Dad’s death. More members of his generation have gone to join him. He has a new grandson who could benefit from his wisdom. One of his nieces is following his example by not allowing Cancer to steal her dignity. Some things have not changed. Chief among these is the sense of family that he fostered in each of us. This lives on – as does he! “And I miss him, the Old Man.” From a song sung by John McDermott on “The Irish Tenors” CD http://www.epinions.com/musc-review-289B-D13C35F-3927DFA3-prod5/tk_~CB003.1.370 ©2001  |
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