tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post2183671713222485265..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: A Father's TaleCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-10885962431920302142008-03-03T21:06:00.000-06:002008-03-03T21:06:00.000-06:00Thanks for sharing. My Dad just died this summer ...Thanks for sharing. My Dad just died this summer and it still is hard to believe he's not going to be there when I pick up the phone to hear his voice.John Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11714537622409205603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-60125295152532073932008-03-03T15:37:00.000-06:002008-03-03T15:37:00.000-06:00This is as wonderful memento from a loving son tow...This is as wonderful memento from a loving son towards his beloved father. I'm almost covering my eyes to intrude family intimacy here - your words were moving.SzélsőFahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11600289147447182465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-65380691035153190872008-03-03T10:58:00.000-06:002008-03-03T10:58:00.000-06:00This is really touching and something I might have...This is really touching and something I might have to look into doing later on. My father passed away five years ago this December and I still get teary eyed thinking about him and the wonderful man he was. <BR/>You were very blessed to have him in your life he sounds like a great man and a wonderful role model.Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203551997160640352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-84829183333833245902008-03-03T09:41:00.000-06:002008-03-03T09:41:00.000-06:00What an incredible man. It can't have been easy to...What an incredible man. It can't have been easy to have a toddler following him while he was trying to farm. But , that's where the closest bonds between parents and children come from--the many shared little everyday things.<BR/><BR/>I envy you for having had the chance to see him right before he died, and telling him you loved him. My father died when I was on the plane home to see him after having been overseas for years. I'll never get over that.cs harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13708705800818667923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5053973624462210542008-03-02T17:31:00.000-06:002008-03-02T17:31:00.000-06:00Travis Erwin, yes, one of my brothers was not gett...Travis Erwin, yes, one of my brothers was not getting along well with dad when dad died and that has always haunted my brother.<BR/><BR/>Michelle, he wasn't perfect, of course, but he was an extremely good father, a hard worker, and a loving husband.<BR/><BR/>Erik, not so sad for me anymore. I look back with fondness now, and good memories.<BR/><BR/>Ivan, I still talk to him in prayers even now. And visit his gravesite when I'm in Charleston.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-32388116723002426992008-03-02T17:20:00.000-06:002008-03-02T17:20:00.000-06:00He will be with you.He will have been so proud.Eve...He will be with you.<BR/>He will have been so proud.<BR/>Even of this.ivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05662075375182633162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-9703991157624730072008-03-02T12:57:00.000-06:002008-03-02T12:57:00.000-06:00What a sweet loving tribute! My God, he sounds wo...What a sweet loving tribute! My God, he sounds wonderful. There is no substitute for a good father -- many of my friends don't have one for a myriad of reasons and there's still a big hole in their lives. It's terrible that he died so early, but good that you got to spend time with him when you were young.Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-49177608602024432442008-03-02T11:05:00.000-06:002008-03-02T11:05:00.000-06:00That was really sad but thanks for sharing.That was really sad but thanks for sharing.Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-6952745878989696402008-03-02T10:21:00.000-06:002008-03-02T10:21:00.000-06:00Nice tribute, and how great is it that you he didn...Nice tribute, and how great is it that you he didn't die with things left unsaid between you.Travis Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-2815009773898253422008-03-02T10:09:00.000-06:002008-03-02T10:09:00.000-06:00Lisa, my closest brother is 6 years older than me ...Lisa, my closest brother is 6 years older than me so at times it was like being an only child at home, especially since we didn't have a kindergarten and kids just stayed home before first grade. I remember many incidents of being with him.<BR/><BR/>Sphinx Ink, I get home to see the family at least once a year, and occassionally some of them come here. My brother was here a month or so back but just for a day. They were all very helpful to us after Katrina.<BR/><BR/>Rob, I linked to your profile, which will let folks see all your blogs. Yes, my son was occassionally a handful but has brought me so much joy that he's well outweighed any trouble.<BR/><BR/>Christine Eldin, I do realize that I had a very magical childhood in many ways. Makes me think of Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine.<BR/><BR/>Bernita, :) Thanks, that was nice.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-23968792033833236422008-03-02T07:55:00.000-06:002008-03-02T07:55:00.000-06:00He had no problems with his "real" heart.He had no problems with his "real" heart.Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-13329937597723443042008-03-02T06:40:00.000-06:002008-03-02T06:40:00.000-06:00Reading this gave me chills. What a beautiful chil...Reading this gave me chills. What a beautiful childhood you had. Your story feels so completely in a different era, too. It's magical, you know. I love how he kept you and didn't get a babysitter. That's very hard.<BR/>Very poignant, Charles.Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-45644158904269703962008-03-02T04:48:00.000-06:002008-03-02T04:48:00.000-06:00Charles, thanks for adding me to your list. I'm ho...Charles, thanks for adding me to your list. I'm honored!<BR/><BR/>I've added you to my cafehopcott.com list as a site I like to visit :-)<BR/><BR/>Perhaps fathers who have little or nothing to do with their children are the one's who lose most in the end.<BR/><BR/>Children are such a trial but are also such a comfort in old age.Rob Windstrel Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802521115618353098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-12710182308220350562008-03-02T01:25:00.000-06:002008-03-02T01:25:00.000-06:00Thanks for the touching portrait of your father an...Thanks for the touching portrait of your father and your memories of him. I enjoyed the family website, too. It's cool that you have such a large extended family, although you rarely see them due to geographic distance. They are part of you and you are part of them.Sphinx Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429797402360703839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-49553742605933131002008-03-01T23:36:00.000-06:002008-03-01T23:36:00.000-06:00You father sounds like he was a truly loving and g...You father sounds like he was a truly loving and generous man. I'm so glad you have such wonderful memories, even though I know it's hard to remember very well when it's been such a long time. I noticed on your family tree that you are the youngest of the five and that there is a pretty big age difference from you to the oldest sibling. You probably had some extra special time in those years before school started for you. Sort of like you had him all to yourself for a while :)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-44112811735760538632008-03-01T23:21:00.000-06:002008-03-01T23:21:00.000-06:00Travis, I'm glad you enjoyed them.Middle-Ditch, I'...Travis, I'm glad you enjoyed them.<BR/><BR/>Middle-Ditch, I'm so sorry that your relationship with your own father was not a good one.<BR/><BR/>Steve Malley, indeed.<BR/><BR/>Rob Hopcott, I'm very sorry for the lack of a good relationship with your own father, but am glad your son and you got along well. My son and I get along well too. I will add you to my links tomorrow. <BR/><BR/>Donnetta, I wish I could give you that memory.<BR/><BR/>Josie, that helped me so much after he died, the fact that I got to tell him I loved him just before.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-18984920655242112802008-03-01T22:18:00.000-06:002008-03-01T22:18:00.000-06:00Oh, that is so beautiful. How lucky you were to b...Oh, that is so beautiful. How lucky you were to be able to hug him and tell him you loved him on his last day on earth. I'm sure he took that memory with him.<BR/><BR/>He sounds like a wonderful man, and he would be so proud that his son has done such a loving tribute to him.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979114933441527890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-84380559300692844232008-03-01T19:34:00.000-06:002008-03-01T19:34:00.000-06:00Hi, Charles. You are so lucky to have such fond me...Hi, Charles. You are so lucky to have such fond memories. Some of us didn't get to have that. Still, I try to think of my dad as "on the other side" learning new lessons and healing. Makes it easier to forgive. What I wouldn't give for just one fond memory.<BR/>DonnettaDonnettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14831771508607746472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-1836106716241433232008-03-01T14:04:00.000-06:002008-03-01T14:04:00.000-06:00You felt his love and in his loss you feel pain.My...You felt his love and in his loss you feel pain.<BR/><BR/>My father knocked my mother out when I was seven years old then left for ever.<BR/><BR/>He isn't dead, but if he was, I don't think I would care. He has never ever given me anything, least of all himself.<BR/><BR/>Your dad gave you lots so you feel the pain of loss.<BR/><BR/>My dad gave me zip but at least I will feel no pain in his departure.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it all evens out.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I have many wonderful memories of teaching my son to play tennis down at the local tennis club and many other memories of his growing up.<BR/><BR/>When I die, I think he will feel pain but I wouldn't have missed his upbringing for the world.Rob Windstrel Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802521115618353098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-54729389142387411512008-03-01T12:57:00.000-06:002008-03-01T12:57:00.000-06:00That was very touching story Charles and I'm sure ...That was very touching story Charles and I'm sure your father smiles at you from wherever he is now. <BR/><BR/>I realize you lost a very beautiful soul. I can't say the same. I feared my father and I envy you.Middle Ditchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16493665280732775898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-73337574726541946822008-03-01T12:07:00.000-06:002008-03-01T12:07:00.000-06:00I'm sorry you lost such a wonderful influence in y...I'm sorry you lost such a wonderful influence in your life at such a young age. But the lessons seem to have stuck and that's a good thing.<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed these stories. Thanks for sharing them.Travis Codyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06192526507760146748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-325831267785680852008-03-01T10:54:00.000-06:002008-03-01T10:54:00.000-06:00Lana, yes, he was.Shauna, I think he did enjoy tha...Lana, yes, he was.<BR/><BR/>Shauna, I think he did enjoy that time. He always took good care of me.<BR/><BR/>Fancy, I appreciate the thoughts.<BR/><BR/>Miladysa, mom and dad were very happy. My mom lived alone many years after that, but finally met and married another wonderful man who had lost his wife.<BR/><BR/>Mark, yes.<BR/><BR/>RRN, thanks.<BR/><BR/>Sidney, yes, exactly what my father did.<BR/><BR/>Billy, "a father makes a difference" is a fine song.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-62643629014045307022008-03-01T10:01:00.000-06:002008-03-01T10:01:00.000-06:00Beautiful story, Charles. My father died at 91 a f...Beautiful story, Charles. My father died at 91 a few years back, but every year on his birthday I listen to "A Father Makes a Difference," by Randy Newman on his soundtrack of The Natural. (He's a great composer for orchstra, although not many know this.) I always bawl like a baby. It's cathartic because I still miss him. Your story reminds me of all the small things we recall about our dads.WHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14815646433314236886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-1632521412350145472008-03-01T09:55:00.000-06:002008-03-01T09:55:00.000-06:00Great story. It makes me think of a song lyric Way...Great story. It makes me think of a song lyric Wayne passed on to me once: "Live like you were dyin'" The generosity and everything certainly sounds like he put the time he had to good use and since he liked country music maybe he would have enjoyed that tune.Sidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16284680909152676159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-42152950646399743922008-03-01T07:53:00.000-06:002008-03-01T07:53:00.000-06:00Thank you for sharing that Charles. I was amazingl...Thank you for sharing that Charles. I was amazingly touched by this. It really went strait to the heart. Beautiful words and memories man. <BR/><BR/>Utter greatness.RRNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156926287978872010noreply@blogger.com