If I may be totally self-indulgent and serious here for a moment, here's a photo of me and my Dad, Pete, from back in 1984. I think this pic was taken at the Beaulieu Motor Museum when we were on holiday down in Bournemouth. It's not a great quality photo but I like it because I've got very few photos of me and Pete together.
( Yes, I called him "Pete", not "Dad". I don't know why, really. It was just always that way. I don't think it's anything to do with the fact I was adopted - I certainly never called my Mum "Marlene" - it's just one of those peculiar, specific quirks that I suppose all families have and don't really think about, but look strange from the outside. )
Pete would have been 81 today which is impossible for me to imagine as he was only 64 when we lost him. I don't really want to go into a lot of detail here ( it's boring for other people and saddening for me ) but I'd just like to say that he was a lovely bloke, a fantastic father and husband, a genuine, salt-of-the-earth character... and we all love and miss him.
Anyway, thanks for indulging me, people of the Blogosphere, and I hope you'll understand why I've interrupted this usually frivolous blog for something a bit more personal.
I'll leave you with some of Pete's favourite music ( and mine too! ) from Glenn Miller...
9 comments:
I appreciate the music of Glenn Miller myself, so Pete (if I may be so bold) was obviously a man of taste and discernment. And it may be a bit of a cliche, but, as long as we remember them they never truly die.
How ya doing, Pete? Pleased to meet you.
Thanks for the thoughtful post.
See, I never thought of this as a frivolous blog -- I always considered it a heartfelt and sincere one, full of heart. Does this mean I have to go back and reread all your old posts in a different tone of voice?
It's still less than a decade since my father died, but I expect I know something of how you feel. I still think about mine every day, so a post like this one seems entirely proper and reasonable.
I know how you feel my friend. It's been more than a decade since my old man passed, but I still think of him every day.
...and my Dad would have liked the Glenn Miller, too.
@Kid
Hey, Pete would have been pleased to meet you, too! He was a very sociable, friendly man ( I don't take after him at all! ) who was happy to mix with all levels of society ( from farm labourers to landed gentry )and he was always just "Pete" to anyone he met. Thanks for the kind words.
@Richard
Feel free to read this blog in any tone of voice... so long as you keep reading it :-)
Seriously, Richard, thanks for the warm thoughts. I do wonder sometimes if I come across as too self-indulgent when I write about more personal issues than the usual comics, music, films etc. I'm glad to see it's appreciated.
@Mike
Thanks for your support, mate. Much appreciated as always. I guess a lot of us in this corner of t'internet are around the same age and are experiencing the same ( or similar ) heartaches and joys that come with time and age.
Anyway, I think I'll go listen to some more Glenn Miller... it makes a change from Punk Rock :-)
Thanks again, guys!
Never frivolous to give a shout out to your Dad. I had a great one too.
Thanks for the comment, Cal! Always good to hear from you.
A brilliant post It left me thinking that I would have liked to have met Pete :-)
Thanks, Bill. I wish you could meet him, I really do...
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