Today is my father’s birthday. Had he lived, today he would be ninety-nine. He did not of course. In fact he fell far short. Forty-one and a half years short to be exact.
I wish he had lived long enough to see whether he and I could have ever come out on the other side of the war we relentlessly waged against each other the final year of his life. Mostly I wish he and I had ever learned how to communicate.
I spent most of the past forty years not understanding what fueled his rage. It took longer than it should have but I finally figured it out.
Sorry, Dad, for being such a slow learner. Inexcusable for a teacher’s son, I know.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
-AK
Years ago, I fell over a quote I've carried with me because it took me forever to puzzle through it and think I'd understood it (finally or maybe, never figured out which): “Every son quotes his father, in words and in deeds.” I believe that's true for all three of us. -bill
ReplyDelete