Today was my father, Rae's funeral. I don't usually post very personal things and I wasn't going to mention this significant event in my life. However, it was my Dad who introduced me to the sea when I was four and who over the years guided me to safely navigate her waters, so it seems only appropriate to acknowledge his influence on this important part of my life. Of course his influence extended to all parts of my life, I am what I am because my father and my mother.
As my Dad's life slipped away, after a long and distressing illness, I was fortunate to be able to spend the last few days with him. We reminisced about past voyages together and I showed him photos of my recent voyages. We talked about his impending final voyage. He told me he was not afraid of dying and that he had no regrets. I was proud to be his son and now I miss him terribly.
Be a good parent and share your voyages with your children.
My condolences Douglas at your sad loss.
ReplyDeleteDouglas - So sorry to hear about your Dad. I'm glad that you spent time with him before he left these shores, and it is heartening to hear that he had no regrets. That's wonderful. Losing a parent is incredibly tough and my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeletePam
hugs & prayers from this side of the pond. my thoughts are with you & your family during this difficult time.
ReplyDelete--elizabeth
My condolences - he sounds like he was a great man to have as a father. Thankfully he will live in your memories!
ReplyDeleteThoughts are with you and your family Douglas. So pleased your were able to spend some time with your father over the last few days.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence struck a real chord with me being a relatively new father who is currently dreaming up adventures and voyages for my little people. My parents introduced me to paddling and the outdoors in general, and now I have the privilege to do the same for my own family.
Thank your for sharing your thoughts.
My condolences as well Douglas. My father's last words to me were 'Don't grow old...'. He said them just as I left for a two week paddling trip. He was dead before I got home, but his words were wise ones and I'm grateful he said them. Your father sounds like he was a special man. Good for him!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. God bless him.
ReplyDeleteIvana
My thoughts are with you Douglas. I'm sure that he was equally proud to have you as his son and that maybe, with time, you'll feel his spirit sharing future voyages.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, my condolences on your sad loss. Thank you for a very dignified and thought-provoking post- a fitting epitaph to an obviously special man. As a father and grandfather myself, your words struck a real chord with me, as I'm sure they will for many others.
ReplyDeleteIan
My condolences. Seems a good man raised a good son and left his mark on our world.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, Sorry to hear this news, I lost my Dad years ago in a stupid incident and never got to share or recap the lives. Your advice to others here is sound, share while you can and enjoy the life together. My thoughts are with you. Regards, Guy
ReplyDeleteA Sad day Douglas!
ReplyDeleteBut he's not really gone, he's up there, home again, smiling, knowing that when it's time he will see you all again.....!
My deepest condolences to you and your family Douglas.....!
Udo
le mie condoglianze,ho perso mia madre un mese fa.tuo padre ti seguira' sempre nelle tue prossime avventure e tu sarai con lui nei tuoi sogni.
ReplyDeleterobert italy
Douglas,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Our loved ones influence us beyond what they realize. Keeping him alive in your heart, with such fond memories and passing them on to others, is the greatest honor you can give to him.
Peace be with you and your family.
Dawn
Condolences to you and your family, a very poignant post
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Douglas. Thank you for sharing this very personal posting. It is clear that you have an “extended family", far and wide, and I am sure that you have felt the warmth in the words offered to you. My own father, a sailor and an academic, also introduced me to the sea when I was very young. We left Glasgow for a future in Canada when I was three. When he retired, he built a kayak and his love of paddling became a gift to us. I also miss him still. He gave us a “compass and a chart” and a burning desire to live life to the fullest. I became a clergyman and, to this day, find inspiration in his example. Perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay to those we love is to live fully, with thanksgiving, a spirit of adventure, and a passion for making the world a better place. I have a sense that you have already made that tribute to your Dad.
ReplyDeleteTake good care,
Duncan.
Seems to me Rae did a good job. You're doing the same.
ReplyDeleteS
I am really grateful for all of your very kind comments. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDouglas i am so sorry to her of your loss. my thoughts are with you and your family right now and always will be. it is a very fitting tribute to your father to have raised such a caring son as yourself. your father was a very special man and i am proud to have met his son.
ReplyDeleteyour friend alan
Condolences to you and your family. Your Dad's spirit will live on, not least in the love of the sea which he passed on to you and which you, in turn, are sharing with countless others, inspiring them in their turn.
ReplyDeleteFiona
My sincere condolences Douglas. Kahlil Gibran once wrote "You are the bows from which your children
ReplyDeleteas living arrows are sent forth."
Your father was an excellent marksman Sir.
Dear Douglas, only now just reading this lovely passage. Wonderful you had such experiences with your father & mother. In my thoughts, Alison
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your kind thoughts.
ReplyDelete