Thursday, July 25, 2013

Goodbye Mr Guthrie

Leon Guthrie and me....
I've put art aside for a while because my heart really isn't into it at the moment. My Dad passed away peacefully from cancer a few weeks ago. My Dad lived a long good life. Like any son I can say my Dad meant the world to me and guided my life. My Dad provided for me as a child and was there for me when I became a man and ran into life's curveballs. My Dad believed in my art and helped me to love working with wood as much as he did. My Dad taught me how to appreciate Big Band music as well as Country music. My Dad came from humble beginnings and lived a humble life. Although my Dad never served in the military he appreciated that I did and was proud of me.
My Dad sort of forced me into playing football. He told me either I play or he was going to take me to the barber and get my hair cut. I signed on to play and they cut my hair anyway. My Dad was also clever. I now, and forever, was glad I played football. My Dad was wise.
My Dad made sure that 8 kids had a home to grow up in. He got them through school, sports, took them camping, fishing and fed them. My Dad did all of this and a lot more by simply going to work everyday and being there for all of us.
Later in my life I was going through my divorce and my Dad was there for me. 
I'm fortunate that I wasn't a kid who didn't get along with his Dad. I talked countless hours with my Dad over the years and was always amazed at how much he knew. I was handed down my Dad's wood working tools and will think of him everytime I walk into the garage...that of course will be when I'm not busy thinking of him all the rest of the day. Good work Leon.    

15 comments:

Monica Burnette said...

So sorry for your loss, Ron. Thinking of you. And so is he. ;-)

jimserrettstudio said...

I am really sorry for you loss.
To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Monica, Thank you very much. I'm sure my Dad is doing exactly that.

Hi Jim, Thank you too for the very kind thoughts. I appreciate it very much.

Dianne said...

Condolences on the loss of your Dad. It's good to see that you had a good relationship with him, you'll carry that with you always.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Dianne,
My Dad and I were very close and I'm very thankful for that. He's always in my mind. Thank you very much Dianne, I really appreciate it.

Sandy Byers said...

Hi Ron,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. How wonderful for your Dad to know a lifetime of love from his son, and vise-versa. I pray your heart will soon find comfort in his memories.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Sandy,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy to say that my Dad was not only close to me but really to all of his kids. My Dad's services were this last Saturday and so many great comments were made to my family and I. My Dad would have had a big smile on his face. I'm glad he is finally healthy now and with God, family and good friends.

Matt H. said...

I'm so sorry for your loss - may he rest in peace.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Matthew,
Hey, thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate it Mathew.

Margaret said...

Ron, I just now read this. So sorry for the loss of your dad. I too, lost my dad to cancer, as well as my mom and a brother. It is hard, but harder to see them suffer. No one can ever take away the good memories. All the best to you!

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Margaret,
I'm sorry to hear of your losses to cancer too. My youngest sister last year and my Dad this year. Cancer is just bad all around and takes from us those we love at random.

My Dad went in for a cough and bad back pain. When they released him to come home for hospice care he passed away the following day. I'm glad for him that he only had the back pain for just a couple of weeks and didn't have to go through the whole deal.

Thankfully we were very close and I have a ton of great memories with my Dad that will last the rest of my life.

Thanks for the kind words. My best to you Margaret....

Maria (Mary) Bales said...

I add my condolences to those above. I know how hard it is when we lose our parents or any of our loved ones.
Hope you get back to painting real soon. You have a beautiful gift to give the world.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Mary,
Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. I really appreciate them very much and they mean a lot to me right now. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

What is dying? I am standing on the sea shore, a ship sails in the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till at last she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says: “She is gone.” Gone! Where? Gone from my sight—that is all. She is just as large in the masts, hull and spars as she was when I saw her, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination. The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her, and just at the moment when someone at my side says, “She is gone” there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up a glad shout: “There she comes!” —and that is dying.

rest in peace bear.

Ron Guthrie said...

Exactly ! That is just how I feel about the whole process of life and what happens afterwards...thank you very, very much!