Easter
It has been a busy couple of weeks at home, and at the studio. Spring cleaning of both abodes brought about the feelings of accomplishment, that can only be achieved through the combined odors of vinegar and ammonia, and the feeling of steel wool pads upon calloused fingertips. With both houses in order, there is a feeling of contentment, and the readiness to begin anew, an eagerness born of organization and the parsing down of useless material objects to those deemed necessary.
The Easter break was a welcome relief from the chores of the week, and Jim and I were undeniably prepared for a trip to the country to visit my parents, My sister, her partner, and the kids. Having grown up in a southern theme household, I ignored the admonishment "not to bring a thing but yourselves", and made sure that we prepared and brought along 4 racks of lamb, and fresh flowers for my mother's table. To not do so,would not have been remarked upon directly, but would not have been in accordance to ingrained sense of propriety and manners. My sister brought home made soda bread (absolutely delicious), and also brought Jim and I a dozen of her farm fresh eggs, laid that very morning. Mom had prepared a turkey, several salads, baby new potatoes, carrots, and asparagus, to round out the groaning table. My sister's kids were slightly intrigued but turned off to the idea of eating lamb, but were encouraged to give it a go. Distaste and wrinkled noses, soon gave way to hearty appetite; my youngest nephew managing to polish off half a rack off lamb by himself.
All in all, a fabulous meal, made even better by the the communal good will, love, and enjoyment of those sharing the table. One remarkable moment occurred before we sat down to eat, one that I won't soon forget. My father put his arms around me in the kitchen and exclaimed in a happy and loud voice: "I just love this guy! You are a fine son." It was made better by the very fact that it wasn't some rehearsed or proper acknowledgement, but a heartfelt and spur of the moment declaration. It has taught me that there is healing in forgiveness, and that there is definitely virtue in patience. Had I never made the steps at reconciliation with my father, nor had the patience and willingness to see it through, I am sure this feel good moment would have not occurred. As many of you know, my father is battling dementia/Alzheimer's, and time is of the essence in our relationships with him. I am so very thankful to have been given the chance to hear those words from my father, knowing he meant them from the soul. Easter has been very, very good to me.
tater
10 Comments
Reader Comments (10)
You received the best present of all...parental love, recognition, and acceptance...and you thought all you'd get were peeps.
Oh honey- you made me cry! I know how long you've waited, and how patient you've been, and I am so genuinely happy for that healing moment with your Daddy..
I love ya too! Sorry I missed you the other night, catch you before train time some time this week- promise!
That's really great to hear Tate. And very similar to what I meant in a comment a few months ago about this disease, as cruel as it is, offering glimpses into the unadulterated truth of relationships. You were just given that I think.
Beautiful post, and fitting for the new season.
I've only ever had lamb once in my life,and it was fantastic!
Good on you for recconnecting with your dad Tater.I love hearing about good things happening for good people.
I am so glad you had that loving moment with your father. What was unsaid for so long has been said and there are two people the happier for it. And your retelling gave us happiness also.
I'm glad you found me (via father Tony), or I wouldn't have found this feast of a post. There is no avoiding either sacrifice or suffering, but there is no avoiding love either. Your father's arms around you,his words, your reception of them and recounting of them ... so beautiful. Thank you.
Wonderful post, Tater. Gave your readers a feel-good moment too.
(I have a sudden craving for new potatoes. But not lamb.)
Tater - This is a beautifully written family event you'll always hold close. I always feel great empathy as acquaintances younger discover the sense of loss coming in the future as aging robs their parents of the dear and the not so dear paths you've crossed with them in your life. Some fathers and sons never cross that divide though it's often not understood very deeply why.
Thanks, Mr. Hunt for this. I was taken back to the VERY moment this happened to me with my own Father who, by then, was getting weaker from congestive heart failure. Seems it took that event for him to slow down enough to truly understand who I was aside from judgements he'd made years prior about who his son was vs. who he wanted him to be.
That hug on a front porch on a fall day, him in slacks, a plaid shirt, a hat, him smiling at me warmed our relationship the rest of his life and is something burned in my memory. Now that he's been gone 12 years, it's a memory I'm thrilled to have revived, and reading of this Easter get-together at the Hunts did that today, here, on a snowy blustery spring day. Renewal and hope, eh?
what a marvelous day, and your father! a treasure.
that meal sounds fabulous. i am confused, though. you said "two houses?" what?
easter just whizzed by this year. i paused for a moment and thought of what an event it was when i was a child. the preparation for our easter outfits alone took months. hats, patent leather mary janes, lacy gloves, and the proper new dress for spring. we were preoccupied from christmas forward.
this is lovely. i am so glad you had a fine time with your family.
***Lynette, one abode was my house, the other was the studio (my second home if you will)
--Tater