24 Comments

I am sorry for your loss, Joe. Having lost my sister in 2010, I can assure you that yes, it gets easier, but no, it never leaves you. The stain of grief will be on your heart forever.

This piece, however, is a good step forward to help you process and find some solace. Best wishes to you and your family. 

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So sorry for your loss, but grateful that you have taken this moment to share your thoughts with us today. Your writing frequently taps into universal truths, and this one does especially so. It has me thinking about the DNA of truth this morning. Be well and be encouraged that what your father gave you lives within you.

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Thanks so much, Dennis

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Thanks for writing this. We're similarly situated, in terms of fathers.

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Thanks, David

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This was a beatiful thing to read. You have my condolences and prayers.

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My condolences, Joe.

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So sorry about your dad. Bet he was proud of you.

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Just heard about your dad’s passing. I’m sorry buddy. Your reflections about your dad did him great justice. I always think of a Bernard malamud quote at times like these: A boy doesn’t become a man until his father dies. Getting old sucks but you’ve got a lot of friends and family to back you up

Jim tise.

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Thanks for getting in touch, Jim, and for the kind words, I appreciate it. Good to hear from you. Hope all's well.

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You will always remember and love your dad, and I hope you continue to write about him. I will always remember that passage from one of your essays where you describe your parents coming home from what I imagine was a "date night" and you seeing your dad dance with your mom in the living room. If that isn't love,I don't know what is. And, I suppose you'll always remember Wheaton too. To quote Frank, for your dad, it was "a very good (94) year(s)..."

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Thanks so much for this wonderful comment, Sibbie

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It is good to read this tribute to your father. He was a great and modest family man and you will all miss him.

I still miss my Mother who died 33 years ago. Grief is the price you pay for loving someone.

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Indeed. Thanks, Graham.

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Beautiful, Joe. He sounds like a good man, and a good father.

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Such a beautiful tribute Joe to a man who clearly shaped your life in such positive ways. Our father passed away in 2012 and my brother put together a memorial video. At the end of the video, he too included Seeger singing 'to every season turn turn turn....'. How grateful I am to have had such a gift of a father.

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I'm glad for that for you, Julie

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You’ve written a beautiful, meaningful, and empathic tribute to your dad, Joe. How lucky you were to have had one another. May you find comfort in your memories of him.🪷

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I'm very sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute to your dad and to a life well-lived.

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This is beautiful. Thank you for writing.

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What a wonderful tribute to your father. Beautifully written. Thanks for the gift.

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A touching tribute. Best wishes for you and your siblings.

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