Startled by Existence

Fado

you say love

and I see

one on one

for you

that sound

is a holiday

you say friend

and I see

certain restrictions

you see

different rooms

sudden swervings

your words

have been like sunny streets

full of ambushes

My dear

I've been so stupid

listening only for notes

from an instrument

whose overtones

are so weird

Son of a Good Man
By Bob Bullock
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I am the son of a Good man.
A jack of all trades and master of some
Musician, soldier, reluctant photographer
Carpenter, Christian, friend
Father of one
Father to many

Look up the word Good in the dictionary
Read, and you will find the words that are my Father
Kind, reliable, worthy of respect
Discriminating, thorough, of moral excellence

God blessed my Father with three special gifts:
A love of music, and the ability to share it with others
A strong moral compass and the unerring desire to do the right thing
Finally, a steadfast stubbornness to complete whatever he started
(Admittedly, this last one could be quite annoying at times)

While no stranger to using a belt to discipline a wayward son,
He preferred to discipline with words.
The length of the lecture varied directly with the severity of the offense.
I hated the lectures.
Please, get the belt and get it over with.
I hated the lectures,
But I remembered them.
Maybe that was his intention.

If I could truly choose how to live my life
I would live it the way my Father has lived his.
Decide what you want, then go after it with all your heart.
Listen to others, even if you know they are wrong.
When faced with uncertainty, choose what you feel is right and don't look back.

Although distance may separate us,
I have never felt closer to you.
Happy Fathers Day from your loving son Robert
June 18th 2006

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Note: My father passed a year after I wrote this. He was 84 and died peacefully with his family around him. I am eternally grateful that I was able to express my feelings while he was still with me.