The Loss of a Father

 

This is dedicated to my grandfather, father, brother, and to the father of my children. It’s been many  years since we held them close, but we have never forgotten them.

My Grandfather

The memories our family shares of these men are vast. Some are joyful, others are painful. The differences that any of us had with them were that… differences. There is no denying that at times those differences were outward disagreements that flared into raging blow-ups and one would wonder how the relationship could be sustained. Sometimes it took distance and time to let things settle and to return to a sense of calm. At other times, it took work to resolve the differences. Everyone had to drop their egos and commit to seek understanding, rather than demanding to be understood. It wasn’t easy; however, it was worth it. I had a good relationship with all of them and when they died… I had no regrets.



My dad



They were not perfect. They had flaws and issues in life, as we all do. Regardless of how those imperfections manifested, the one perfection they shared was that they were proud to be fathers and they loved their children. There is no second guessing that.

To hear this beautiful song, visit YouTube and search for John McDermott.





The Old Man   ~Phil Coulter



My brother, Brian



Gerry, my children's father



The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last good-byes
His soul's been blessed
He's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone
He was more than just a father
A teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard
In the tunes we shared
When we play them on our own

I never will forget him
For he made me what I am
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man

As a boy, he'd take me walking
By mountain field and stream
And he showed me things
Not known to kings
And secret between him and me
Like the colors of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree

I never will forget him
For he made me what I am
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man

I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly
And the years roll by
For a father and a son
And suddenly, when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance
To tell him thanks
For everything he's done

I never will forget him
For he made me what I am
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man.