Friday, October 30, 2015

With Sad Regret


Hello, Dear Friends, it is with sad regret
that I have to tell you that my Ramblin' Man's
Father passed away this week. 



Born into an Irish Immigrant family
in South Boston during the Great Depression, 
he rose from his humble beginnings
to become a very successful businessman.

Here he smiles at his youngest brother's wedding, 
with his 4 brothers, Mother and Father. 

He is the dashing figure on the far left.

He gave me this photo on our visit
to celebrate his 65th birthday. 

He was a proud Marine, and obtained a 
mechanical engineering degree by attending
 night school as a young father. 



But the beautiful legacy that
he left to me was his eldest son, 
my sweet Ramblin' Man. 



Here they are when I first met them both,
back when we were all shiny and new, 
and the whole world was full of bright possibility.  

But Father and Son were as different as night and day, 
and their's was a dance of absolute polarity. 

The tough and unsentimental Marine
with the hardscrabble past who fought so 
hard to give his children a different 
experience couldn't understand 
the sensitive son with the genial disposition - 
and vice-versa. 


So my Ramblin' Man, with me by his side, 
set out to make his own way in the world, 
and time and distance took its toll. 

I can only imagine a Father's broken heart, 
and for that I am truly sorry. 

He was graceful in his letting go, 
and generous in so many ways, 
including his understanding
that a man has to stand on his own two feet, 
and perhaps they were more alike in that way
than they cared to acknowledge. 

For isn't it true that there are only two
lasting bequests we can hope to give our children?

One of these is roots and the other is wings,
and he truly gave him both.

xoxo


xoxo

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared.
Miss me - but let me go.

xoxo

Until we meet again......
All our love




43 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. It is such a beautiful tribute.

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  2. Precious memories and wonderful photos.
    Big hugs to you and your family!

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  3. My condolences to you and Ramblin Man and your family. Your father in law was obviously a wonderful man and a great Dad who will be well remembered. All good thoughts and hugs to you. xx

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    1. What a beautiful tribute Karen. I can't believe how much Dustin looks like his Grandfather.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear of your sad loss. That was such a moving post with wonderful photos to remember him by. x

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  5. Beautiful thoughts and memories <3 My heartfelt condolences to your family.

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  6. Hello, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending my prayers and hugs to you and the family.

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  7. The death of our parents, no matter how complex the relationship, is a difficult time. They were always 'there' even when understanding might have been lacking. Cherish the best of the memories.

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  8. I'm sorry to hear of your family's loss Karen. Such a beautiful tribute to both your father-in-law and his son. Family dynamics do get tricky sometimes when the children become adults. Your words match my own father and my brother very well, and for similar reasons my brother moved to the far side of Canada ("as far away as I can get"). Heartaches created, but I think regretted a bit as time passes by.
    Wendy

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  9. So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear father in law. This is such a lovingly written tribute you have shared. May his memory be eternal.

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  10. This is one of the most moving and well written tributes I've ever come across. So much was said, so much was implied and yet, so much was unsaid. But we as readers can read between the lines and I'm sure many of us can relate.

    Blessings to you and your family Beatrice.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your father-in-law. What a beautiful tribute and precious family photos.

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  12. I'm sorry for the loss you have had recently. Life is strange and takes many different twists and turns leading us away from loved ones. This is a lovely tribute to your father-in-law. Blessings to you and your husband.

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  13. Your words are beautiful and so special; a wonderful tribute to your father in law. I know how hard it is to be so different from a parent but you take the good and let the rest fall away....Hugs to you both during this time...

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  14. I'm sorry for your family's loss. The story of father and son is timeless and you tell it with loving gentleness.

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  15. This was a beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. It was also a wonderful story of a father/son relationship. Roots and wings are part of what make us who we are.

    I am sorry for your loss, but so grateful you and Ramblin' Man have each other.

    Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss, Karen, but what a loving tribute to your father-in-law. Hugs and blessings are sent to you and your Ramblin' Man.

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  17. Hi dejar Karen ,, i am sorry for your los ti your father in law,, ,, this Washington a beatiful tribute ,,
    Hughs

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  18. Sorry to hear of your father-in-law's passing. This is a lovely tribute.

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  19. My sympathies and prayers on the loss of your father in law. Thanks for sharing your memories in word and photos. God bless you and your family in this time of grief. Hugs my dear.

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  20. I am so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Cindy

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  21. Dearest Karen,
    So sorry to read about this loss.
    Don't know if it was a sudden death or if he was ill for a while... Hope not!
    Distance is always hard indeed and I hope that he learned how to cope with it over the years. Being a proud Marine he sure learned. Your husband looks like his Dad in his younger years, same big eyes.
    May Peace be with you and the rest of the family.
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  22. So sorry for the family lost -- fathers will always be missed as well as mothers.. May peace be with you and your sweetheart and other family members..

    Hugs

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  23. 'What a handsome man he was. I hope he and your hubby came to some understanding over the years. My hubby had to "let go" and forgive his father to find any peace in this life. I know that there is now an understanding on your FIL's side that he never had before. Blessings to you and your hubby as you walk this sad path. xo Diana

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  24. My deepest sympathies to you both. He was a very brave man to let his son go out to live his own life and bless him for that. My thoughts and prayers are with you both as you start this hard journey xx

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  25. Such a heart moving tribute full of love and understanding that does not cover up the hurt and reality of relationships that mean so much to us, especially the relationship of father and son.

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  26. So sorry for your family loss but what a lovely tribute.

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  27. Oh I'm so sorry for you!!
    A big hug

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  28. Oh I am sorry for this sad loss in your lives. A lovely tribute.

    Brenda
    xo

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  29. I"m sory for your loss. The post was beautifully written.

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  30. I pray for your family for this time of loss. You wrote such a lovely tribute. I am lucky to still have both of my parents but at 81 and 85 I know sunsets will be coming. We keep in touch by phone and emails as I live in Oregon and they in Southern California and I try to visit once a year but could not this year due to finances and health problems.

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  31. This was so beautifully written Karen. Such a special and heart felt post. Blessings and prayers to your hubby and to all the family. May God's promise for our future in heaven bring comfort and peace to all.
    xoxo

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  32. Oh I am so very sorry for your families loss, will pray God sends his peace and strength to you all, as you go through this time.

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  33. So very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  34. What a beautiful, poignant post Karen. I'm sorry for your loss. Blessings to you and your Ramblin' Man. xo Deborah

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  35. I am so sorry for your loss, Karen...this was a lovely tribute with special photos. Sending loving thoughts and prayers your way...xo

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  36. So sorry for your families loss but what a beautiful and loving tribute to this man.

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  37. Dear Karen,

    So sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law. Your blogpost is a beautiful tribute to him. He sounds like a special man.

    I enjoyed the view into your family photo album. Lovely photo's of you and your love and your father in law.

    Thinking of you and your husband.

    Take care.

    Madelief x

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  38. I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Karen. He was such a handsome man. My father-in-law passed away last year, so I can imagine what you're going through. What a cute picture this is of you and your husband. You both look so young.

    Happy November!

    ~Sheri

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  39. So sorry to hear about your family's loss. This post was beautifully written and a touching tribute.
    Dorene @ Seasonal Chapters

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  40. Very sorry to hear this, Karen. As others have said, you've written such a beautiful tribute to him and to his relationship with his son. All my best to your family.

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  41. Lovely tribute Karen, and how hard it is to lose these folks in our lives. Love your treasured photos though and how precious they will be to your dear husband

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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