I purposely use the word have rather than had when talking with the kids about their dad. I want them to appreciate that even though Tom isn’t here with us physically, he is alive with God, and they still have a dad

McGuiness, Cheryl. Beauty Beyond the Ashes: Choosing Hope After Crisis (pp. 205-206).

Howard Books. Kindle Edition.

Around –Father’s Day-I read the above lines from Cheryl McGuiness’s book, which had been given as the example of growth through pain- in John Maxwell’s book-15 laws of Growth. Having a relationship with a loved one who has passed away, and using books as a framework to shape our thoughts, made me write a Father’s day message to my sister in India.

FATHER’S DAY

The memories of a scooter in which he would take us for rides when we were small, the Khirkee cantonment in the seventies and the prayer-outings to Parvati-temple of Pune. These memories of childhood, cement our ties , now that our parents are no longer physically with us.

BOOK DISCUSSION

My father introduced me to libraries, inculcated the love of the written word in me, and over the years, this has enriched life in many ways. Having a Reading-Book-Club is a way to further enhance the reading process, what a particular work informs-educates about the human condition.

2016-LEPTIS MAGNA-LIBYA…Going to open spaces and Reading, gives a different flavor to the Reading journal. Over the years, these Reading-Thinking places have added great richness to life.

Cherry McGuiness, wife of Tom McGuiness-the co-pilot on 9/11 tragedy, was invited by well meaning friends on Mother’s day, but the experience turned sour. So, as Father’s day came she planned a more private intimate setting, and after dinner-spent several hours going through the collection of Old family photographs.

She writes.

The disaster of Mother’s Day gave me the resolve I needed to take control of Father’s Day the next month. I reassumed family leadership and planned an event that would focus on Jennifer and Tommy and the great dad they have. (I purposely use the word have rather than had when talking with the kids about their dad. I want them to appreciate that even though Tom isn’t here with us physically, he is alive with God, and they still have a dad.) On Father’s Day 2003, the three of us came home after church and worked together to make a special meal. We had a great time in the kitchen, enjoying each other’s company as we cooked. After dinner we spent several hours going through our collection of old family photographs. I had purchased a number of new photo albums, and we spent the evening sorting and organizing our family pictures. In the process we remembered in a positive and joyful way the many wonderful years we had with Tom as a husband and dad.

McGuiness, Cheryl. Beauty Beyond the Ashes: Choosing Hope After Crisis (pp. 205-206). Howard Books. Kindle Edition.

CURRENT GENERATION

As we gathered our thoughts around Father’s day for the present generation, we went through some memories of yester years and walks which we have done through different places where we stayed. Due to our stay in different places, we have been associated with monuments-institutions in their vicinity.

2010-Dec-Walks together-Xlendi Gozo see Friends of Bouazizi – Year End diary-2011 Meeting –Tripoli Reading Group- 2011- http://wp.me/piL5Q-iP

2009-SABRATHA-LIBYA – DIARY BY THE SEA

READING-THINKING PLACES…Sabratha-Libya-2008…many lovely hours, spent Reading-Discussing -The Tripoli Reading Group

2010-XLENDI-GOZO-MALTA..Manna dey-songs, some of my father’s favorites, I later sang with my sons, walking by the Mediterranean

2015-RIVERWOOD-MISSISSAUGA-CANADA..book discussions

READING PLACES- RIVERWOOD:19.6.16:  But the  slave of Khalaf’s letter was not of the company of the consequential people like wazirs,sultans,the chroniclers,and the priests –the people who have the power to inscribe themselves physically upon time…in his instance it was a mere accident that those barely discernible traces that ordinary people leave upon the world happen to have been preserved. (From Amitav Ghosh’s –In an Antique Land) ..Readings in Riverwood-in the morning- on the bench in memory of Zachary Jelovsek,(1995-2014)..Taken much too soon.

MERCHANT OF VENICE Many lovely hours spent at Port Credit- Discussing Nuances of Literature How Shakespeare created characters such as Shylock and Falstaff, who outgrew the confines of their play, and talk to people through the centuries. …………revenge! I’ll treat you as badly as you Christians taught me to— and you’ll be lucky if I don’t outdo my teachers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_5adzpdkdw

MUSEUM JOURNALS-AND READING PLACES

The love of the written word, and going to Museums-shaping them as “Thinking Places” were two gifts my father gave me, which I tried to pass on to my sons

Other related posts

Museums with Children  http://wp.me/PiL5Q-24

End Note: The words of Karl Khandalawala come to mind..many lovely hours spent walking these galleries of Prince of Wales-Chatrapathi Shivaji Museum-Mumbai

If my work enables even a few of my countrymen to realize the greatness of Indian painting and Art I will feel I have not labored in vain- Karl Khandalawala-Crusador for Indian art and culture

Through these Reading -Discussion Journals, logs of museums-Thinking places we have been to together, we maintain a living link between many generations of our family.