For My Father by anahata.c
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Description
Many years back, my father and I visited his father. I was 6, my father an up-and-coming lawyer, and his father in his 70's, which was old for those days. Sam---my grandfather---was eating peanut butter and jelly in an old coffee shop: a real treat for him, coming from Eastern Europe where they hadn't heard of such things. It was dripping down his sleeve and onto the plate. My father nudged me as if to say, "don't do that yourself!" But my grandfather, ever wise to his American son's ways, winked at me and said: "Don't vorry...it vouldn't kill you to make a mess..." Sam was frail and slumped over; but he was solid as rock. My father was also solid as rock, but eager to be of the 'new world', to succeed, raise a family, and be the best lawyer he could be. Sam "kvelled" over him, meaning "gushed with love and pride"; and Dad, who adored his father, still felt some embarrassment that his father was from the 'old country' (Russia). Yet he protected his dad and held him as he would a precious child. They talked. Sam kept saying, "nu, slow down! I'm an old man, I vouldn't understand a thing!" And Dad kept saying, "Dad, it's hard to explain. It's hard to explain..." Sam would wink at me: "See? Your fadder---he's a big man now! You should be proud!" And Dad would whisper, "I'm only a lawyer...I'm not a big deal..." They sparred ever-so-gently. But you could see the deep love between them. And I realized: They're two completely different people, but they were united at the heart. Sam wore an old hole-y cardigan, and kept dripping food all over himself, while my father was in a suit and tie, sitting upright and drinking black coffee. Two completely different worlds...Yet my dad looked on Sam with enormous protection: He wanted to take Sam in his arms and heal him of all his memories, of being beaten in the streets in Minsk, of the long journey here, the long journey of assimilation---which he never mastered---and to tell Sam that he, in Sam's place, wanted to give him everything that life had bestowed on his son. (Later my father said, "there is no new world: Wherever you are is paradise, it's simply up to you to make it so...") As we started to leave, Dad leaned over and kissed Sam on the cheek so tenderly I started to cry. The son became the loving father, and Sam beamed like a little boy. And Sam said to me: "Nu---be good now! Your fadder will protect you for both of us!" As we drove through the old streets---filled with Eastern Europeans, mostly refugees from WWII who were silent and bent-over in the oppressive Chicago winter---Dad looked very sad. And as we made our way onto Lake Shore Drive---the huge modern roadway to glittering Downtown---the skyline came into view and, being winter, it was blanketed with fog from the melting ice, burying the buildings as you see here... And as we began the long drive home, my father said in a broken voice: "Remember that man, son: He's my father." He grabbed my hand: "He came a long, long way. Do you understand?" I was silent. "Mark," he said: "See those buildings in that fog? It's like another world. My father came from another world, covered in fog and distant memories, everything left behind...It's renewal, it's rebirth. That's his gift to us. Always remember that..." My father died last year. He too came a long way. The generations keep renewing, regardless of our pasts. As I post this image, I think of that fog and snow, and of what Sam would say when I was freezing in the terrible snow-drifts: "Just think of it as God blanketing you, to keep you warm forever..."
Comments (23)
junge1
A fantastic and heart-warming story and a tremendous tribute to your dad and grand dad!
etoiledumatin
Beau travail le rose sur la neige et la brume qui recouvre la ville laissant libre court a limagination du spectateur. beaucoup de sensibilité dans le commantaire que j ai pu comprendre avec le traducteur. chaque enfant a de son coté vécu une situation presque identique a un moment de sa vie. Chapeau l'artiste pour la transcription de tes emotions en photo.
MrsRatbag
What a lovely story; it brought tears to my eyes. Perfect memory for father's day, and I love your photo.
romanceworks
It is a beautiful spot, high above and looking down on the misty city, almost heavenly in its view. What a lovely tribute to your father, and his father, and to all the fathers who lived then and live now. Memories of those men, strong and young, protecting us,old and frail, needing us, are in our hearts forever. I remember sitting on my grandfather's lap when I was a little girl, and touching and marveling at the feel of his fat fingertips, calloused and imbedded with dirt, from years of working in his garden and greenhouse. He took me through his greenhouse, showing and telling me about every blossom. I remember thinking how softly and lovingly he touched those petals with his big thick fingers. And I think that is why I love flowers so much now. A very touching tribute, Mark, so beautifully written and remembered. CC
durleybeachbum
What a wonderful tribute.
TheOwl68
Your heartfelt dedication moved me to tears, beautifully written and it sweetly compliments your stunning photograph. Thank you for sharing this wonderful work, Mark~ Peace to you, too.
helanker
This is the most beautiful and most touching tribute I have ever had the honour to resd. This touched me deeply, dear Mark. Could barely read the last part for tears. And the photo is simply astonishing.
marybelgium
a very touching tribute ! thanks for sharing !
anaber
Mark, this, are the most beautiful words and deepest feelings from your heart, for your father and for Sam:) They embrace your image, so deeply, with so strong and heartfelt memories. It is a loving story. Thank you very much for sharing it. It is an honour. Your message and your magic image offers to all of us, the most beautiful POEM OF LOVE and it is the most wonderful tribute i ever seen, to honour your father and grand father.
Meisiekind
Most beautiful memory that you shared here dear Mark! I'm sure your Dad was smiling in heaven when he read it! Love, Carin xx
magnus073
Mark, you're such a wonderful man and a true treasure to this gallery. I am so moved by this loving dedication to your father and grandfather that I am at a complete loss for words. You did such a magnificent job in bringing these stories from your past to life that I felt like I was almost there with you sharing these tender moments. It's easy to see that you come from a loving family and your father and grandfather are both men to be proud of you. It's little wonder that you turned out to be the kind of man you are because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
bmac62
Your posting has caused me to reflect on the fact that each father lives in a different world than his children and grandchildren. Experiences and circumstances are ever evolving. You've taken us along on your journey and illustrated your story beautifully. We are the products of these men and I can tell how very much you've come to appreciate and love your dad and granddad. Thanks Mark for this living tribute to all fathers. Shalom Mark...
jocko500
thank you for this story and image. i cry as i read it
goodoleboy
Another fantastic color and silhouette image, Mark, and a most moving tribute to your father and grandfather, my friend.
auntietk
Such a beautiful story, and the perfect image to go with it. Your presentation speaks to me of perspective, of mystery, and of understanding. It's lovingly done, and wonderfully told.
npauling
A wonderful tribute to your father and your grandfather, it is so beautifully written and so heartfelt. Your grandfather did come a long way and he would be proud of what his son did as would your father be proud of you too. This is a beautiful photo with the city in the far distance shrouded in fog. What a great spot to remember your father and what he said to you.
beachzz
What a wonderful, moving tribute to your father and fathers everywhere. We often forget the roads not travelled by ourselves and it's good to remember where we came from. I lost my dad nearly 30 years ago, but I know he's still around. He gave me my photography bug and for that I am ever grateful!!
dragonmuse
Such a beautiful expression of your love for your father.
LivingPixels
Beautiful memories and very touched my friend!! Just wish I had that kind of relationship with my own father!!still I have a beautiful relationship with my own family! A beautiful and heartfelt dedication to the memory of two great men in your life.
thecytron
Stunning!
flavia49
very moving dedication
brewgirlca
Great story that one. It kinda chokes me up to read it like you laid those words down. You just opened it right up with that narrative voice.
odie
Beautiful. Emotional. A treasure trove of memories and a real keeper.