I made this for my dad…okay, truth be told, I made it for me…and for you, though I would give anything for him to be here to see and hear it for himself. Set to my all-time favorite song, Grateful Dead’s Box of Rain, it never occurred to me that the lyrics were, as Phil Lesh explained in the video here, “…so apt, so perfect…” for all that my dad would face over his last few months.
I hope you enjoy this easy, five-minute glimpse into my dad’s life.
Nice work, Holly! It would be lovely to know more about the stories behind some of those photos (if you know them). What a handsome young man he was! And this is a marvellous tribute. I love dads that are handy, btw. Seems to have been quite the all-rounder, your dad. The photos portray a life well lived – caring and sharing and being a part of his family’s life. At one with nature, at one with those he loved and clearly a satisfied human being. Such incredible old photos (and I like the more recent ones too)… thanks for sharing some of your daddy’s history with us :)
Svasti´s last blog post ..Oceans of Milk
What a gorgeous and touching video…and it even gives a context for that adorable picture of yourself as a little girl you were using as your avatar for a while. If only I had the creativity to make videos like this. Ah well…anyway, here’s a somewhat funny anecdote about Box of Rain: back in my halycon Deadhead days, a guy I knew said that his all time song lyric was from Box of Rain, specifically, “look into any eyes, you’ll find value,” which, he said, expressed something really important about the inherent value in every person. Given the lovely sentiment and how strongly he felt about it, I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the actual line is “you find by you”…then, since it’s followed by “you can see clear to another land,” which, basically, means the same thing….
YogaforCynics´s last blog post ..In From the Storm
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi and thanks, Svasti. I’m so glad you liked it. I may write a little about some of those photos some time. And he was a cutie, wasn’t he? I must’ve thought so when I was very young, too, as I remember asking him if I could marry him when I grew up—I think that’s pretty common for little girls, right? Yikes—I hope so! I remember him laughing and telling me that I’d think differently when I was older. Thanks again for taking some time to watch.
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Thanks so much, drjay. Yep. That was me, my dad and my mom’s dad, who must’ve visited from KY that Christmas. Believe me, drjay, if I can make a video, you can. I did it using Windows Photo Gallery and it wasn’t too hard. W did help me some, though. I’m no techie by any means. Good story there and that was kind of you not to burst your friend’s bubble…however, might the lyric be “you can see clear to another day“? Just sounds right—I’ve been listening to it so much lately.
How precious and uplifting this video is, Holly. I can tell that he was a good, good man. You are so lucky to have had a dad like that. I know you know it and I say “lucky you” with the understanding that missing him must be potent for your tender heart at this time. You took your grief and turned it into a beautiful tribute.
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Twitter: craftybird
Those pictures are filled with so much love and happiness. I’m sat here pretty choked up right now. Your dad certainly was cute, and like Svasti I can see the appeal of a man who is practical – makes me think of my own dad stripping down his motorbike (that always impressed me and made me curious when I was a kid). Thank you for making this; I know you made it for yourself and your dad really but I bet everyone reading here who has lost someone will feel that you have expressed something important for them too.
The song is really beautiful – you know, I have to admit to not knowing much (ok, ANY) Greatful Dead but let’s say that that song is a good introduction.
Oops, yeah, right, it is “day”…kinda ironic when I was talking about somebody else mishearing the lyrics…then, I actually haven’t heard the song in a while, except when watching your video, where I was paying more attention to the pictures…and it’s not like I was saying that bit about “land” was the most meaningful thing I’ve ever heard or anything…yeah, I know, excuses excuses…
YogaforCynics´s last blog post ..In From the Storm
Great photos, Holly, and a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I love the one of him sitting on the ground, near the steps. So relaxed. And the one of him with the cup in his hand, surveying the field-his domain. He is a handsome bloke, always with that bright, solid look. Take care, Holly. I know it’s hard.
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi, Lydia, and thank you so much—glad you liked the video. Yes, he was a very good person and very good to us, his family. Extremely protective and selfless, I realize, as I look back. I am lucky to have had the stability he provided while growing up.
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Hi there, Bird, and thank you so much for your kind words. Yeah, Daddy was very practical…few possessions, frugal and kept notes on the important stuff. I do hope that others missing a loved one can find something here…that would be nice. Okay, I’ll let you off on the Dead, but tell me you know nothing by Eric Clapton (my other fave) and I’m hoppin’ in a rowboat and comin’ over there! :o):o)
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Heh-heh. Funny comment here, drjay. I liked it. Kinda ironic, too, that I said “…kind of you not to burst your friend’s bubble…” then turned around and, well, sure I didn’t exactly burst your bubble, but ya know what I mean. And you weren’t far off, as a following verse was, “Walk into splintered sunlight, Inch your way through dead dreams to another land.” Did I know that by heart? Hell, no. Google is my friend. :o)
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Thank you, nothingprofound…I’m glad you liked it. You know, that photo of him resting in the sun is one of my favorites also. He favored that old back porch over the newer front one. I keep thinking that I’ll eventually be able to watch the video without crying…then again, maybe that’s not what I want. I’m okay, though. Thank you for your words.
Twitter: chrissymarie321
I had never come across the tune either……..but I have many fave Clapton songs!
A lovely set of images that say so much. Like Svasti says, some incredible stories behind some of that and yes when you can it would be good to get some of them written.
He does look quite dashing as a young man and has kind eyes. The good thing is too, he looks as though he was happy …. and I guess that was down to all of you too :D
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Chrissy, I am so sorry! I was going back through my comments to see if I had replied to everyone—which I know I haven’t—and noticed that I missed your most important one.
On my dad, I wish he were happier in his later years…there were reasons that he wasn’t, which I won’t go into, but I just wish that he had been happier. I’m glad you like the video. Although I liked the one at his service, I wanted my own photos with music that meant something to me. I don’t think he would’ve minded. There were things we didn’t agree on…generational stuff, but he was a kind person.
Twitter: jodapoet
Holly, what a special and heartwarming tribute to your Dad. It was cool to see the transformation from black and white to color photos, just like when I peruse my old photo albums. He certainly loved nature and I love the photo of him on the tractor, he looked so comfortable and at home. What special memories this video will bring to you and your family. My thoughts Holly are with you and I thank you for sharing your life and your Dad’s special moments with us.
Joanne Olivieri´s last blog post ..Botanical Garden Trees
Twitter: jodapoet
BTW, I remembered the actor’s name when I saw this first photo on your video – Clark Gable :)
Joanne Olivieri´s last blog post ..Botanical Garden Trees
Holly – that was so very sweet. A special man and a loving daughter. You’re so very nice to share so much with us. I could watch that over and over again.
Lovely…
Grace´s last blog post ..No good deed goes unpunished
Twitter: earthtoholly
Wow, Joanne, really? Daddy would be flattered, I’m sure. :o)
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Thank you, Koe, I’m very glad you liked it. And I hope my dad would have, too. He was a country western music fan, so I’m not sure what he’d think of the music, though. Please watch as many times as you like—I have.
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Thanks so much, Grace. Glad you liked it. :o)
Oh my god Holly, I felt like I was watching a TCM movie! (I love TCM movies)!
And is that your mother in those photos? She’s gorgeous!
And is that little girl YOU?? You’re so adorable, Holly!
Now I feel like I knew your daddy! And now I feel like I just may cry, too….
This is an impeccable creation, Holly! One your daddy would have loved! :)
C´s last blog post ..More Beautiful
p.s ….and be proud of. :)
C´s last blog post ..More Beautiful
Holly — The first time I watched this, I was also making dinner and I had to stop watching it because I was tearing up and because I wanted to really pay attention. It’s a wonderful tribute. And the person he reminded me of in the early photos was a young, better-looking Johnny Cash, but that may be the combination of black and white photos, clothes and that great hair he had.
Take care,
Jennifer
Jennifer´s last blog post ..Berkeley type
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Charity and I’m I glad you liked it. Yes, that’s my mom and the little one is me. I’m not sure if my dad would’ve liked being posted on the internet, as I’ve done, but hopefully he’d forgive me.
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Hi and thanks, Jennifer. I felt much the same while reading your recent story about Kevin. Very sensitive and moving and such an awful ordeal for you all. Daddy liked Johnny Cash and probably wouldn’t have minded the comparison. I remember mentioning to my dad once that when he was younger he had long hair, but I think he thought I meant loooong hair and insisted that his had always been short. I agree, though. That lopsided coif of his was pretty attractive. :o)
Holly,
This was very sweet and touching. Thanks for sharing intimate family moments and I do believe your Daddy would have loved it.
Love,
Theresa
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Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi and thanks so much, Theresa. Glad you liked it. I don’t think he would have thought too badly of it either…I thing he would understand.
Holly, I think this was a stunning and fitting tribute to your daddy’s life well lived – A lover of animals, hard work, and all of his family – You have told his story in five minutes, as you say, and you have been able to say so much about him – You’ve brought tears to my eyes, thinking of your loss and also of the loss of my dear dad, whom I wish I could make such a tribute to… Maybe you’ve also given me some inspiration to try something like this at some time. How brave of you, Holly. Thank you! x
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Thank you so much, Fhina. I’m glad you liked it. And I’m so sorry about your loss… Maybe doing something similar would be a good idea…good for you, in the sense that it could help heal some. Or maybe stay connected. I sometimes fear that I’ll start to forget things about my dad, and I think through my video I can always remind myself. Of course, we don’t really forget…we’re just afraid we will. I would love to see yours if you decide to make one. Again, I’m so glad you liked it.