Words from my dad

9. Past

(Obviously this is from some years ago.  The notes are somewhat disjointed but I believe there is value in them on different levels.)




Words from my dad

Lately my parents have been having some problems, physical and emotional.  Sometimes my dad can be reasonable and show wisdom, and other times he is impatient and lashes out.  What he is, he is, but sometimes it is nice to hear his better side, his higher side.

Recently we had a talk on Rosh Hashanah and he was in the mood to talk.  What he said might be a little disjointed, but it all has some value.  He mentioned that in Gestalt psychology you try to see the whole rather than the parts.  Makes good sense.  He then said there are no absolutes accept death.  He continued to say there is nothing worth hanging onto and giving up everything for.  Well, on one level this seems true.  It is a way to adapt and survive and be practical.

He said Christianity is black and white whereas Judaism is multilevel.  This is just his observation and not meant to be a judgment. In my studies of both religions, and plus having been married to a Christian, I found that there is some truth to this on a certain level.  Please don’t take offense Christians.  Elsewhere I delve into this.  Again, these are his observations.

He stated that my mom was fighting for her life, and then said I’m like her.  Hope is important and he hopes I reach fulfillment (both parents favorite term).

Dad added nothing is worth losing everything for, and that it is important to keep things in perspective.  The aim is to be able to “see everything, to be aware of the whole.”  Awareness itself is the key. (At times wish he had been less aware and more animated on my behalf.)

Dad said he tries to set a good example for me.  Then he stated we’ll see what happens in the future.  That’s when my mom blurted out “what future.”

It was mentioned I was from good stock.   I’m not sure if he meant mental or physical (longevity) or spiritual stock.  If I live long though, it would be from some health consciousness, as my genes seem to from my less healthy mom’s side, but he might know something I don’t.

So these were the words from my dad on the 2009.