Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Today is my father's birthday. He was born in 1925 and died in 1980,
I was just about to turn 21. He would have been 83 today.

He adored classical music, classical literature/poetry, roses and my Mom...his children too prior to our becoming teenagers. :o)

I am not sure what happened that turned him away from church, and perhaps even God...we never prayed together or went to church together as a family, not even on Christmas or Easter.

When I asked him about it, he told me about a Guiding, Creative Force, that without which we would have chaos. He wanted us to find our faith on our own...not have it forced upon us nor handed to us on a platter.

He carried part of a green scapular in his wallet; we didn't know what it was and we still don't know why he had it. My sister, recognising it as something "catholic-looking" sent it to me a year or so after I joined the church*. I pray with it every Saturday morning, and on all Marian feasts.

My father had the entire bible memorized. King James Version I believe.

I love him very much.

Peace
kembo
(aka kemburple or just burple)

*(The Roman Catholic church..my first and only church to belong to, which I joined 4 1/2 years ago when I was 45 - 24 years after Daddy died)