My father

I've been thinking a lot about the way I wanted to blog about my experiences over the past twelve days. At first I wasn't sure I wanted to talk about it at all. But the events that have taken place and their relevance to my life are far too substantial and devastating not to mention.

My father died on the morning of Saturday February the 17th. Peacefully, while he slept, his heart just decided to stop beating. He was only 58 years old.

My father was my inspiration from the beginning. From the time I could hold a crayon between my fingers I would say I wanted to grow up to be "an artist, just like my daddy." He informed my sense of design from an early age. I was blessed with a limitless supply of pencils, markers, paper supplies, wood working tools, collage materials, etc., not only because of my father's business as an industrial/graphic designer but because he wholeheartedly supported my creative endeavors, in whatever form they manifested. He was the first to believe in my abilities and an endless source of support and encouragement throughout. When I graduated college, he helped me set up my first jewelry studio, enabling my career to take shape. He read my blog regularly, frequented my website for new work and never failed to acknowledge my accomplishments. I always aim to make him proud.

Beyond the artistic, my father and I had a relationship based on a lot of unspoken understanding. We could relate to each other in ways unique to the rest of my family. My dad valued his privacy. Listened more than spoke. He was kind, humble and sensitive. He adored animals (most especially cats) and at times I wondered of he didn't prefer their company to humans! He loved and respected nature and instilled in me those and many other values. He believed and repeated the golden rule to my sister and I so many times as kids we rolled our eyes at him the second we heard him start… "Do unto others…" He did treat others the way he wanted to be treated; even BETTER than how he wanted to be treated most of the time. He has taught and given me so much.

There is much to say about my father, and this mere fraction cannot begin to describe who he was and all that he meant to me. I'm fortunate to have so many fond memories to hold and to savor and to comfort me even though it hurts to know we won't have the opportunity to create more. Here's to dad… whom I'll miss more than anything.