18 Comments
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Simon Emslie's avatar

Well done, Larry. A beautiful story — two beautiful stories — told with honest tenderness. There weren’t your usual flourishes of comic genius, but in that I sense the seriousness with which you approached this subject. Your writing, as ever, was impeccably engrossing.

Larry Urish's avatar

Thank you, kind sir. That kind of compliment, coming from a writer of your caliber, really means a lot. I always appreciate your kind-hearted support!!

Thriving Leadership Academy's avatar

Truly beautiful story, Larry! And told with such vulnerability. You got me all choked up. Thank you -- it's genuinely inspiring to see someone willing to take a risk like this. And it paid off -- big time!

Larry Urish's avatar

Thank you, Chris. It's folks like you who inspire me to jump out of my comfort zone (at least once in a while).

Much appreciated.

Kathy Ayers's avatar

Larry, this is significant on levels I know I don’t understand.

Thanks for aiming your laser-sharp writing skills here. So many of us can relate to this and need to hear this repeatedly for our own healing. “He loved us despite what it looked like most of the time.”

I feel like you wrote this for me, though you wrote it for and about yourself and your dad. The universality that occurs in the telling of a specific story is mysterious and seems almost magical in its power to heal. Thank you for this.

Larry Urish's avatar

Thank you Kathy. I'm really glad this resonated with you.

Rick Lewis's avatar

This for me is an example of the possibilities for writing that goes way beyond just good writing. The choice and focus of the subject is a demonstration of how we can actually hold our past in a way that heals, lifts ourselves and others up. You’re literally authoring your life and inspiring others to do the same.

Larry Urish's avatar

Thank you Rick. I hope writing this will help me see my father in a more balanced light. Honestly, it's not easy, but this story is as true as any I'm currently dealing with.

Flori Posen's avatar

Incredible how you were able to weave both pieces of your life together. I can’t get over your growth, both in writing and soul. I’m typing through tears. You can imagine how much reading this touched me. I’m so thankful that you were there for Dad at the ending of his life and just as grateful at how this affected you.

Larry Urish's avatar

I'm really glad this touched you, Flori.

Truth be told, I didn't make the connection between the moment at the creek when I was a kid and the moment at Dad's bedside 45 or so years later. That connection came only by recalling the story during the process of its creation; that's the magic of storytelling.

Thank you for reading and for your ongoing support!!

:>)

Lee Reeves's avatar

Larry, thank you for this close up glimpse into the fraught, tender, awkward, sometimes painful world of fathers and sons. You manage to convey the specific nuances of your relationship with your dad in a way that resonates universally. In other words, though I'm a daughter of a father, I can relate!

Larry Urish's avatar

Thank you, Lee. I appreciate your insightful feedback. And, yes, I'm sure the same dynamics you note most certainly applies to daughters! :>)

Chao Lam's avatar

A touching pessimistically positive tale

Larry Urish's avatar

Thanks Chao 👍🏻

Ken Hedler's avatar

Larry, you should have posted the blog on Fathers Day.

Dana Allen's avatar

You know I love this slice of your relationship with your dad. Beautiful!

Lee Reeves's avatar

Father son relationship, published with courage.

Darrell's avatar

Laaaaaaaaaaary !

Sup brother. What have you been up to ? Coachdarrell8@aol.com

Ric sent the story to me. Very cool. Where you at now a days !?