I had always wanted to learn to surf. I had nurtured a fantasy of a middle-alged surf adventure, an escape to Mexico, a diet of fish tacos, sleeping on the beach. Now I knew it would never happen. None of these shallow balloons of idle daydreaming would ever come true. The world was a desert now, a wasteland to be survived, not enjoyed. In less that twenty-foud hours all my fantasies had been destroyed. (page 66)See THIS INFORMATION, including reviews of the book, at Amazon.
I highly recommend this book!
What you will read therein will stay with you long after you turn the last page and applies to more than a father trying to come to terms with his son's having committed an unthinkable deed.
Sooner or later, most of us will face the unthinkable of some sort.
Commenters are invited to expound on the above excerpt from The Good Father.
I am thinking the unthinkable almost every day as to what is happening to our great nation. Sounds like a good read and will check it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to worry about anything anymore. Whatever will be will be. PEROD!
ReplyDeleteWe have no control over anything. All we CAN do -- and SHOULD do -- is try always to be decent, considerate, kind and generous to our fellow sufferers.
If someone betrays us or shames us, or steals from us, or deserts us, I now say FIDO -- which means Forget It. Drive ON.
I've striven for seventy years to be sanguine, optimistic, constructive, creative, faithful and helpful. And what keeps happening -- over and over and over again?
I get an axe in the neck, a knee in the groin, a kick in the shins, a slap in the face and a bucket of cold piss poured over my head.
I would never lift a finger to hurt anyone, but I'm pretty much done with everything but waiting ...
I didn't know it at the time, but the election has pretty well finished me off.
My friend, Emily, as always had words to describe this state of mind to perfection:
"... The feet mechanical go 'round ––
A wooden way ––
Of ground -- or air -- or ought ––
Regardless grown ––
A quartz contentment like a stone.
This is the hour of lead ––
Remembered –– if outlived ––
As freezing persons recollect the snow ––
First chill -- then stupor --'
Then -- the letting go.
Rather a depressing statement. The thing is, when we reach a certain age and think about the things we didn't do (fish tacos?), we also often realize that it doesn't matter and it won't be missed.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the book sounds good. I just put it on hold at the library and should have it by tomorrow or the next day. If you recommend it - it must be good. :-)
Can't relate. I've done the fish taco stuff, I've gone to all the places around the world that I wanted to and now Ihave a new list.
ReplyDeleteThe world isn't ending, just some people. If you want fish tacos on a beach in Cozumel, then go there and eat the damned things. People who give up should at least shut up about it and stop trying to spread their depression to the rest of us. I take pills for that crap because I refuse to feel it. I'll never give up.
A-Man,
ReplyDeleteby your statement you have proven that have never lived at all. You have just averted your gaze from reality. Those who have never known sorrow can never know joy.
Adrienne,
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think of the book.
The Good Father was written well before the murders in Newtown, Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteHow must the parent of a mass murderer feel?
Denial, of course, is the first reaction.
Ultimately, the reality must be faced. Or, at least, so implies the book's author.
Thank you for the introduction of this book. A definite read for me to check out at the library!!
ReplyDeleteWriting the title down.
Leticia,
ReplyDeleteThe book is available at most public libraries.
Freethinke, you're an idiot whiner of the finest water. "By your statement you have proven yatayatayata."
ReplyDeleteJust how? You run your mouth about your little life's tragedies like you're the only person in the whole world who's never suffered.
We all suffer, moron whiner. Life is hard for all of us, if not now, later.
If you'd bothered to check the website URL you would have seen that I'm Black Sheep. I used that name to maky a point that you haven't the wits to grasp. You suck as a person. You may drown yourself now, you have my permission.
I'd talk nicely to you instead but you have proven that's there's no point. You're as stuck in your self-pity as Ducky is stuck in his Marxism.
Marxist? I don't even accept the labor theory of value.
ReplyDeleteNow go curl up with your copy of the John Birch magazine and think cheery thoughts.
As far as FT, is concerned, give the man his mourning and quit your pathetic strutting.
Possibly you've never valued anything highly enough to feel its loss?
On the subject of loosing a pet, Black Sheep take a look at deSica's "Umberto D.".
ReplyDeleteGreat film about an elderly man losing his home and possibly his dog in post war Italy. In a terrific scene the dog prevents the elderly man's suicide.
I've only been able to watch it once (ditto his "Bicycle Thief"). It hits pretty hard. Really gives you an idea of what that bond can be like.
Whether you agree with how FT expresses himself or not is not important. Recognize his humanity and sorrow.
Baaa. Baaaaa baaa baaaaa.
ReplyDelete_____________ To Black Sheep _____________
ReplyDeleteGrating on our nerves with irksome baas
Offered in a bilious spirit vile
Fill with nasty thoughts some ancient Kas.
Use your time for something more worthwhile.
Could you for once relent, and quit your jeering?
Kindergarten kids show better manners.
Your comments sound too often like Bronx cheering.
Oh why must you into our works throw spanners --
Using oafish taunts and gibes and sneers?
Regale us please, instead, with something pleasant.
Surprise us after all these noisome jeers.
Entertain -- enlighten -- serve us pheasant --
Let your mind subject itself to scouring
Filth away that keeps you dark and glowering.
~ FT - 2/17/13
Duck said:
ReplyDeleteAs far as FT, is concerned, give the man his mourning
I say: Well put!
Black Sheep,
ReplyDeleteFT is a friend to this blog -- as are you.
There is no point in hurling barbs at him.
You mentioned self-pity. Well, that is a part of the grieving process for many of us. I know this from personal experience -- especially since Mr. AOW's illness.
Please give the harangues a rest. We know your take on this matter.
Sounds like a good one, thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
Debbie, are you aware of how strange, and how rude, it seems that you shamelessly promote yourself with signature and address, but never engage in conversation with other posters, never acknowledge any comments made, never express any interest in other people, and never have anything to offer but mindless platitudes?
ReplyDelete--------> Katharine Heartburn
LOL, "anonymous". That's a point well made. Some of my ripostes may be described as "harangues" by AOW, but at least I address the issued head on and challenge those I feel are outside the pale.
ReplyDeleteDucky came to my blog and left some snide insults, which I deleted. Ducky isn't welcome there.
FT, if you;re going to hurl vile insults at me, at least have the common decency to use your own words instead of plagiarizing someone else's, and the common courtesy to credit the author.
Lastly, let me say again, this time with feeling...
Baaaa baaaaaa baaa baa baaaaa.
am going to order this...sounds interesting and very well written.
ReplyDeletethanks, AOW
Katharine,
ReplyDeleteDebbie typically signs her comments in that manner. Doesn't bother me at all.
Is there a full moon tonight?
ReplyDeleteJust asking.