He was born in the big farm house on a snowy morning in Virginia. I talked to a very elderly lady many years ago who remembered how my father's elder sister ran across the fields to tell the neighbors of his birth. It was a happy occasion that a son was born. It gave me a lot of pleasure to hear about his birth from someone who had been there and seen him when he was a baby.
My father would share a lot of stories about growing up on the farm. He told me about getting up on cold mornings and running down the stairs to stand in front of the fire in the dining room to get dressed. He told me about mornings that he and his father would ride on horseback for several miles to meet up with other riders for fox hunting. He told me about hog killing time and curing of meat in the smoke house.
He lived in another time. He never forgot the community though and would go to visit old neighbors whenever he can. At Christmas, he would take gifts to those old timers that lived near his birthplace.
The farm was sold and the old farmhouse fell into disrepair. At least I have photos of it. And I did an oil painting of it when I was a teenager. I remember going in the farm house and seeing my father's room upstairs. The house was empty then, with only the echoes from his past still present. I always thought that was sad and developed a feeling at that time that houses have souls too. I still believe that.
Many of the people that he grew up with have died. All of his siblings are dead. One died from alcoholism. I don't know what happened along the way in life for her or my father to have decided that drinking was a source of solace. It's a question that everyone asks who has an alcoholic relative. How did the child born in innocence become tainted by life?
Anyway, I guess all this rambling is to tell you that I still miss my dad. I would like for him to know that I'm thinking about him on his birthday. I like to think that his spirit lives on in me.
I believe our parents are ingrained in us to a certain degree - for better or worse. I especially beliebe this since I grew up with them and carry such wonderfully fond memories of my father and grand mother.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree on the idea that houses have souls - my grandmothers home was still very much her home years after she had passed awway and I went by to see it.
Very touching entry! My late father loved to return to his grandmother's home in Oklahoma, where his Aunt lived until her death. We used to love to hear his stories and the obvious love and attachment that he held on to..associated with the house. He was very disappointed he wasn't willed that house upon his Aunt's death, as he seemed to be the only one in the family that held any interest in it! I too belive houses have souls and I am sure in addition to your father living on in you...he visits that crumbling farmhouse! Blessings as you continue to remember your father..today and always!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. Thanks for sharing your memories of your father. And I like (and share) the sentiment that houses have souls and that others live on in us.
ReplyDeleteA lovely story of your dad. Thanks for sharing with us. I do ask that question often....how did this happen? And the best parts of your father's spirit most certainly do live on in you. It comes through in yorur writings and your obviously sensitive spirit.
ReplyDeleteIn our area there is a man who has a wood reclamation business. He goes to old historic buildings that are in disrepair and being renovated or torn down and takes the old floor boards, walls, porches, anything that he think he can use and he creates beautiful furniture out of it. His passion is to see the history live on. He told me that he thinks of those floor boards and wonders how many young couples danced on them, how many marriage proposals were made, words of love shared...it was very touching.
There is much nostalgia seeing where are parents came from. I don't feel we really know them as people until we are adults ourselves. Then we can see them for the human they were--good & bad. And hopefully understand they did the best they knew how.
ReplyDeleteThat picture looks so much like where I live, Is it Virginia? It could definately be upstate NY.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on a 200 year old farm. My Grandfather willed it to my father. The memories you share of your father are so similar to mine.Such a good post, thank you for sharing thoughts of your dad. jeNN
Your Dad would be so proud of you and the way you conduct your life now. Keep up the good work...and I love the picture.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your father with us today.
ReplyDeleteYou believe houses have souls and well they may. I would like to think that this blog sends out a vibration to the spirit world - to your Dad - and that he knows you are thinking with love of him and of the happy memories of days past.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Syd's Dad!
I love memories like that - ones that speak of love and what used to be. Nostalgia.
God bless you Syd.
lovely memories :)
ReplyDeletelovely memories
ReplyDeleteSyd. That was so beautiful. A memrial to your father, full of love. Yes I believe that the present has a has a resonance of the past, of the people and places. To be in touch with those echos is about living free today.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as usual. That is nice that you have those memories of your dad way back to when he was born. It's funny you bring up that houses have souls. Just yesterday I was thinking about the one I grew up in in Las Vegas. I miss that house, there are a lot of good memories from there.
ReplyDeleteSyd, what a heartwarming share. I would give anything to have those kinds of memories. It is snowing here in Big H this evening. Won't last, but we have it.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Syd's dad.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked on my family history for over a decade I have learned that the ghosts from our past live on. Sometimes they want to be found and remembered, sometimes they just need a little coaxing. I'm glad your dad's memory is free to live on in you. God Bless and Happy Birthday to your Dad.
ReplyDeleteI miss my Dad and his stories too.
ReplyDeletewe'll always miss them, no matter what. you have some good memories. and i can see you treasure them. not enough people can appreciate the good through the bad. happy birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteHi! Happy birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteCan I link you to my site?
What a wonderful evocation of your father and his/your roots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post to you and your father. I believe that all exists for a reason and your father's spirit is with you as it's always been. Thank you for this and for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGM~*
Thanks for sharing this Syd. You reminded me of my Dad. He didn't grow up on a farm but he always shared his childhood memories with us and I carry that with me. I have been drawn to visit the town where he grew up and where I have some great aunts and cousins left. I miss my Dad too. I needed the reminder. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI was looking at a picture of my son and I before he flew to Australia. We stopped to have saki and sushi at South Miami Beach. A great memory for me. Your story of your memories reminds me how important they are. That is the one thing that helps me with my mother who is a recovering alcoholic but still has those "moments" that make me want to run away from her. I bet your dad is beaming today. He has one great kid :-) Happy Bday Syds Dad.
ReplyDeleteNamaste
Wonderful post. I love when you share memories of your family. It gives me hope I will be able to reflect back on mine with nostalgia in the proper context. I thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your father, Syd. He raised a fine man.