tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post8369240342928218820..comments2024-03-28T21:10:52.795+11:00Comments on Elephant's Child: Made with His Own Hands (updated and revised)Elephant's Childhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-40346891856354506352020-05-26T04:52:58.890+10:002020-05-26T04:52:58.890+10:00Starshine Twinkletoes: The beer bottle ring was b...Starshine Twinkletoes: The beer bottle ring was beautiful - even if it wasn't 'quite' what she though.<br />I suspect (if allowed) you would have had a fine time rummaging in his workshop through they myriad of rocks, gems, treasures...Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-37524722118439812882020-05-25T23:58:21.009+10:002020-05-25T23:58:21.009+10:00My comment didn't stick :/ Such a touching pos...My comment didn't stick :/ Such a touching post Sue, a rounded picture of him, and the back history is fascinating. Calling him Pope Dick in the cards mde me laugh a lot, great humour in there but sad he could never say why he didn't like your Smaller Portion, possibly couldn't bear being replaced in your affections. The jewllery is so delicate and pretty, nice to have them as keepsakes, and I'm pretty sure I'd have wanted the cut glass beer bottle ring even if I'd known it was just that, hahahaha. Lots of love dearie XxStarshine Twinkletoesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-80078165453057687792020-05-25T09:50:39.362+10:002020-05-25T09:50:39.362+10:00Diane Henders: Thank you. Both of my parents wer...Diane Henders: Thank you. Both of my parents were difficult, damaged, and sometimes inspirational people. They also did the very best they could. I learned some time ago that I had to change my focus to live with the memories of my mother, and the same is true of father.<br />I love you? I am proud of you? I wish. How I wish. Constructive criticism yes. Praise no. The ethos seemed to be that if you didn't hear to the contrary you were doing well. I don't support praise of every action but would have liked to have heard some.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-20581791922172225242020-05-25T07:51:32.496+10:002020-05-25T07:51:32.496+10:00What a complex and difficult man. I can imagine h...What a complex and difficult man. I can imagine how you must struggle to step back far enough from the painful and unpleasant memories to find the positives. It sounds as though it will be a long undertaking, one that you'll continue to revisit in stages as you gradually process and come to terms with your feelings and memories. Maybe your recent dreams are a part of a new stage for you.<br /><br />My dad was almost an opposite to yours: thoughtful and always willing to listen to another point of view; and I never heard him speak badly of anyone or saw him lose his temper (though I know he had a temper). But, like your father, he never complimented me and I don't recall ever hearing the words "I love you". It was just the way men of his generation were. He expressed his feelings through his actions, patiently teaching me carpentry and welding and auto mechanics and target shooting. I know how lucky I was to have a caring father like him, but hearing "I love you" or "I'm proud of you" would have meant the world to me.Diane Hendershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07563115165301223420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-28399033617824169082020-05-25T06:19:47.224+10:002020-05-25T06:19:47.224+10:00Wally Jones: Thank you. You are right - and some...Wally Jones: Thank you. You are right - and sometimes tears need to be shed. Hugs.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-46101569465100711872020-05-25T00:05:42.921+10:002020-05-25T00:05:42.921+10:00No worries. Coffee can be replaced. Memories are f...No worries. Coffee can be replaced. Memories are forever.Wally Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121368850135565674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-62629355947376677332020-05-24T10:25:55.061+10:002020-05-24T10:25:55.061+10:00Susan: Of course I care. Bigly.Susan: Of course I care. Bigly.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-23681533439028137322020-05-24T08:56:14.267+10:002020-05-24T08:56:14.267+10:00Hugs. Thanks for caring.Hugs. Thanks for caring.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-33857129858498389472020-05-24T07:41:18.808+10:002020-05-24T07:41:18.808+10:00e: I am sorry that your tea has been salted. Tho...e: I am sorry that your tea has been salted. Those mixed feelings have salted more than one day of my life too. Heartfelt hugs.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-64522619504815485952020-05-24T07:29:01.910+10:002020-05-24T07:29:01.910+10:00Your father and the Cohen who raised me sound simi...Your father and the Cohen who raised me sound similar and equally complex. I now have salted tea and share your very mixed feelings.ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11376645220662546020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-19370118156348278542020-05-24T06:25:37.151+10:002020-05-24T06:25:37.151+10:00Wally Jones: I am sorry to have salted your coffe...Wally Jones: I am sorry to have salted your coffee. Very sorry.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-67629185523013553532020-05-24T06:24:44.021+10:002020-05-24T06:24:44.021+10:00Wisewebwoman: I can soooo hear my father respondi...Wisewebwoman: I can soooo hear my father responding in the same way. If he gave me an answer at all. Mostly if he didn't want to respond he just ignored the question. Hugs.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-19181151397531849712020-05-24T06:23:02.692+10:002020-05-24T06:23:02.692+10:00Kim: Thank you. I have a library full of father ...Kim: Thank you. I have a library full of father stories. And a complete range of emotions. I suspect I always will.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-88563799911027135122020-05-24T04:54:11.150+10:002020-05-24T04:54:11.150+10:00Susan: I am so very sorry. My heart aches with a...Susan: I am so very sorry. My heart aches with and for your family. Thank you for letting me know.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-28022521962108660742020-05-24T03:12:18.194+10:002020-05-24T03:12:18.194+10:00Well, my coffee is now somewhat diluted with salty...Well, my coffee is now somewhat diluted with salty drippings as I apparently got something in my eyes by the end of your post.<br /><br />You stirred thoughts of my own father who passed when I was 15. I envy your memories. Precious things, EC.<br /><br />Be well.Wally Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121368850135565674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-51218764601597409472020-05-24T02:49:02.855+10:002020-05-24T02:49:02.855+10:00For sure, your father was a very complex man, as w...For sure, your father was a very complex man, as was mine. I share your mixed feelings.<br /><br />Thank you so much for leaving a note on my blog. I really appreciate it. Things are not going well here. The cancer has found yet a new way to torture my husband, and he's in the hospital now. We can talk on the phone from time to time, but I dunno how long it'll be until he can come home again, and I simply didn't have the heart to write a post. Again, thank you for checking on us. It means more than I can say.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-12563150461370272722020-05-24T01:52:43.948+10:002020-05-24T01:52:43.948+10:00Oh this is extraordinary writing. Our fathers leav...Oh this is extraordinary writing. Our fathers leave so much unsaid and often we have such mixed feelings about their places in our lives. I will never forget a moment when I was in my mid forties, in intensive therapy, asking my father for his memories before they age of 12 (I knew from one of his sisters they were heartbreaking) and he looked at me, frowned, blew on his cigar and said "That is none of your business."<br /><br />Seems there was a kinship between our fathers on what they concealed and revealed. Also opinionated. Oh my.<br /><br />XO<br />WWWWisewebwomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15281689872840844191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-13222481387948526402020-05-23T21:52:43.445+10:002020-05-23T21:52:43.445+10:00Oh EC, you brought your father to life for your re...Oh EC, you brought your father to life for your readers, along with hints of your childhood. Intriguing, disturbing and heart-warming... Kimhttp://www.lirralirra.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-69315118283136309482020-05-23T12:27:48.791+10:002020-05-23T12:27:48.791+10:00Giancarlo: Thank you. It is chilly and damp here...Giancarlo: Thank you. It is chilly and damp here - but we need the rain. I hope your weekend is lovely.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-38426405391973167292020-05-23T12:25:36.336+10:002020-05-23T12:25:36.336+10:00Julia: Perhaps. He did the best he knew how, and...Julia: Perhaps. He did the best he knew how, and I honour him for that.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-90994990256737804412020-05-23T12:06:29.463+10:002020-05-23T12:06:29.463+10:00Yes, you are right, words means a lot too. Maybe i...Yes, you are right, words means a lot too. Maybe it it would have been in a different time, your father could have shown more love. <br />Hugs, JuliaJuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03423754263165266554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-62705284062216391312020-05-23T08:32:52.007+10:002020-05-23T08:32:52.007+10:00Buon fine settimana.Buon fine settimana.Giancarlohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05394892031662609998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-22269252261665341512020-05-23T07:05:25.690+10:002020-05-23T07:05:25.690+10:00Shammickite: He only spoke with an accent if ther...Shammickite: He only spoke with an accent if there was strong emotion involved (usually anger because it was the only one he let loose). Sometimes he scared me too - but awe was always there. Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-25573738464920607482020-05-23T07:03:41.997+10:002020-05-23T07:03:41.997+10:00lissa: Quite a lot of art spoke to him, and I hav...lissa: Quite a lot of art spoke to him, and I have no idea why jewellery was his chosen craft. I am CERTAIN he has a lot of stories and yes, I wish I had heard more of them.Elephant's Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06650565833097914052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516733121956849207.post-30017377028949127732020-05-23T06:50:21.039+10:002020-05-23T06:50:21.039+10:00What a wonderful piece of writing. I wish I had kn...What a wonderful piece of writing. I wish I had known your father. I think I would have been scared stiff of him but in awe of him too. <br />I wonder if he spoke with an accent?<br />I had to giggle about the four legged chicken.<br />A fascinating story of a convoluted family, I love stories like that. Shammickitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11969803866899076638noreply@blogger.com