Words from a Reader

The “Writing Life Stories” e-mails I receive are such treasures. As soon as I see there is one in my inbox, I read it immediately. I look forward to them and never know how they will touch me. They can be interesting, informative, humorous, and/or touching.

Monday, June 22, 2009

FATHER'S DAY

My father, Coy Lee Council, must have been a handsome man in his youth with his dark hair and blue eyes. I've heard the stories of his sense of humor and his charm. He was born in 1900 on a farm in north Florida. He persevered during hard times with a strong work ethic learned from his Mother. Like many men of his generation, he provided for the family and left the nurturing to my mother. I've written a couple of poems about him. One is "My Father's Horse" and another is simply called "A Farmer and His dog."
He left an impact on my life and the lives of all his children. Daddy was a simple man in many ways but complex in his thinking.
I never enjoyed Father's Day and I don't think he did either. He didn't like to be fussed over, and I could never find an appropriate gift. I wrote a poem for him trying to express my feelings for this man who was distant, cold but kind. I heard from Mother that he read it, and he liked it, but he never mentioned it to me.

4 comments:

  1. Glenda:

    THis is a great posting about your father. He sounds a lot like my own dad who didn't want anyone to fuss over him. My dad was also a simple man.
    I hope BB is feeling better.

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  2. I take it that great picture is of your father. Is that a tractor he is riding? He looks mighty proud. So many men of his era were cold but kind. He certainly left a wonderful legacy in his children. I know the blessing of his quiet strength is with each of you. I can also understand his not wanting to make a fuss over Father's Day.

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  3. That photo is of my father, but he is driving a stripped down Model T or Model A Ford, his first car. He was mighty proud of it, but said it didn't take long before he found he couldn't afford this fine automobile. The tires on those early cars didn't last long.
    This is one of my favorite photos of him. By the time I was born he was in his forties. I want to post those poems I wrote but can't do it tonight.

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