This past December was bittersweet. I lost my dad December 8th and gave birth to my son 11 days later on December 19th.
The death of a loved one provides an opportunity to contemplate mortality and the vastness of the human experience.
The yearning for purpose and meaning for who we are and what we do with the life we are given.
Our lives are a unique composition of experiences, moments, choices, mistakes, and celebrations.
Itβs my dadβs birthday todayβ¦
Nostalgia is βa sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associationsβ.
When I think of my dad, I envision the sun on perfect golf course greens, pickled herring, poetry, a Manhattan ordered with distinction of olives NOT cherries, classical music, old fashioned values, angel hair pasta, NPR radio and emails signed βAristotleβ.
If you can imagine a manβ¦
He was deliberate and unapologetic. He was extremely logical when it came to crisis, problem solving and decision making.
Stubborn when it came to his opinions, playfully mischievous and thoughtful.
He admired boldness.
He lived life large, never really hesitating to take the risk, eat the cake or buy the indulgence saying, βweβre only leasing these things, we canβt take them with us when we die.β
His sentiments could come across as indifferent yet, he held such great affection for those he loved.
He taught me how to swing a golf club, appreciate the arts, entertain philosophical and existential inquiry.
When he taught me to drive he told me βnever hesitate, hesitation is what causes accidents. Make a choice and commit to it.β I still hear this piece of advice behind the wheel of my car and my life. He planted the seeds of developing the practice of discipline. He encouraged me to acquire a strong sense of myself and to hold myself accordingly.
One of the last things he said to me was,
βYouβve done a real good job with these kidsβ.
xo
MSMAMACHIC 