Lessons of Our Father

On a daily basis, almost without fail, I write. In a world filled with noise and endless distraction, I find refuge in a blank, white computer screen and the flickering thought of what might come next. It is my way of processing the world and what I experience. Most of the time, this means thinking deeply about the entertainment I digest, the books I read, places I travel, and the food I eat. At other times, this can mean sharing lessons learned from moments both big and small. What I write has always been part journal and part musings from a partially examined life. I have always chosen to share my thoughts in the hopes of starting a dialogue.

With this understanding, this piece is for my dad. Losing your father is a monumental experience. It deserves attention. It deserves examination. In my mind, as a writer, I think it deserves to be shared. To experience such an event is natural. It is meant to be the order of things. If things progress naturally, it will happen to all of us.

If we are honest with ourselves, we understand our names will not ring for eternity. If we are lucky, our names will last a few generations. With each passing iteration of family and friends, the light containing our name will flicker until it is no more. One day, who said or did what will be lost to time. This does not mean our time on this planet does not matter. On the contrary, it gives purpose to…