Someone told me a famous photographer advised that there’s a thin line between an interesting blog and divulging too much personal stuff. That’s probably right, but I'm not sure I can see that line. Simone’s dad Col returned to the unknown from which we are born a couple of weeks ago. Here's some of Simone's words from his service …
Excerpt from The Prophet:
And what is it to work with love?
It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth
It is to build a house with affection even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house
It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit
It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit
He came out of the RAAF after WW2 and put his name down for a graphic arts scholarship but a bricklaying apprenticeship came up first and that is what he was for the rest of his working life supporting a family of ten.
The quote above captures the character of dad. The simple dedication of a life spent providing for his family and thinking of others. And through this, without words or preaching or looking for returns, he set a foundation for us as solid as those he built with brick and mortar.
I am not sure that I really believe people could die from a broken heart but I think dad did-he languished away over the last seven months after lossing mum. I'll miss him but can't grieve for him because now he is at peace.