What a wonderful tribute. I loved how my dad brought me along on his regular rounds of second-hand bookstores when I was too young for anything except to feel oh so special.
For bookish people, it's hard to imagine not reading, especially as we're getting older - my mum owned a bookshop for 25 years, so we were lucky to grow up surrounded by books. It's funny how we recognize our parents' traits and features in ourselves as we get older - maybe your dad would have liked audiobooks, a new favourite pastime of mine. Nice tribute.
Hi Ken, enjoyed reading this about your Dad. Brought back some nice memories. As described he was quiet but always friendly to me even when Al and I were up to some hijinks. Both your Mom and Dad were special people. Thanks for sharing this.
This is a very moving account of your fathers life. He was certainly talented & very skilled with his hands in a way I greatly admire, but have not tried to emulate. I enjoy golf, & curled in Edmonton in my teens & can identify with his love for those sporting games. Connecting with your father comes easily for some boys, & more easily as men I think. Its a relationship that is central to our understanding of self for sure.
Thank you for sharing this touching essay about your dad. Reading is an also a central part of how I see myself and I engage with the world.
I know and love people who aren’t readers, but I will always feel like I don’t quite understand them. Sometimes I worry that I’m quick to dismiss them, and I appreciate the reminder that they have full lives and engage with the world in other ways.
Ken: such a beautiful piece on your dad. Thanks for writing it.
What a wonderful tribute. I loved how my dad brought me along on his regular rounds of second-hand bookstores when I was too young for anything except to feel oh so special.
Lovely column today, Ken. Wise and moving. John Macfarlane
For bookish people, it's hard to imagine not reading, especially as we're getting older - my mum owned a bookshop for 25 years, so we were lucky to grow up surrounded by books. It's funny how we recognize our parents' traits and features in ourselves as we get older - maybe your dad would have liked audiobooks, a new favourite pastime of mine. Nice tribute.
Hi Ken, enjoyed reading this about your Dad. Brought back some nice memories. As described he was quiet but always friendly to me even when Al and I were up to some hijinks. Both your Mom and Dad were special people. Thanks for sharing this.
Pat Geddes
Lovely piece. My father passed in a similar manner. A not Covid but Covid death.
I love this piece.
This is a very moving account of your fathers life. He was certainly talented & very skilled with his hands in a way I greatly admire, but have not tried to emulate. I enjoy golf, & curled in Edmonton in my teens & can identify with his love for those sporting games. Connecting with your father comes easily for some boys, & more easily as men I think. Its a relationship that is central to our understanding of self for sure.
Thank you for sharing this touching essay about your dad. Reading is an also a central part of how I see myself and I engage with the world.
I know and love people who aren’t readers, but I will always feel like I don’t quite understand them. Sometimes I worry that I’m quick to dismiss them, and I appreciate the reminder that they have full lives and engage with the world in other ways.