THE CUP AND THE LIP EXOTIC TALES H. JEROME ALTER by H. Jerome Alter

Author:H. Jerome Alter [H. Jerome Alter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: H. Jerome Alter
Published: 2011-06-23T16:00:00+00:00

NEVER SAY DIE

Baby Stevie looked up in wonder. Everything was so new and incomprehensible. His mind had the capacity for infinite wisdom and creativity, but at the moment it was quite empty. The towering forms of his parents filled the limits of his vision. They appeared to be a world unto themselves.

As the days and months passed, people and objects took on more realistic proportions. His mother, with her constant ministrations, had become commonplace. Nothing about her was interesting or stimulating.

But not so his father! With a life totally dedicated to earning a living for his tiny family, Stevie’s dad spent very little time at home, and only a small part of that with his baby son. Consequently, he took on larger than life proportions. Their moments spent together were special. Stevie sensed the latent power in his dad’s fingers and hands, and observed the constancy and warmth of his smile. He held this man in awe, as one would a god.

This feeling did not materially change during Stevie’s early years, until his dad took him along for holiday prayers at his house of worship. Watching him participate in the solemn proceedings cast an indelible impression on the boy’s mind and heart. From that day forward, Stevie saw his dad as having the characteristics of the great patriarchs of the religion, if not actually being one himself.

As his perceptions sharpened, he became aware of the tenuous state of the family finances. Despite his dad’s best efforts, his lack of formal preparation in a difficult job market had destined him to a lifetime struggle to earn a living. Through the years, as prospects rose, then fell, only to rise and fall again, Stevie was appalled to see their devastating effect on his dad’s appearance and health. Still many years from old age, and eternally optimistic for his family’s future, the good man passed away.

His sudden and unexpected death shocked and deeply saddened the family members. As time heals all, they gradually recovered from their grief and terrible sense of loss. Within a few years they rarely thought of Dad, and when they did, there was little or no depth of passion.

But not so with Stevie! His was a loss from which there would be no recovery, despite a life which was to be as rich as it was long. His overriding emotions were anger and sympathy. He felt a profound, undying compassion for his dad, who was ultimately beaten down in a world of heartless people and cold circumstance. For this, he would always harbor deep rancor and antipathy. His wonderful dad had been cheated out of his precious years, and Stevie cursed both their losses.

In considering the possible reasons why his feelings toward his dad were so intense, he found the same ones repeatedly coming to the fore. Loyalty and respect were attributes universally recognized to be necessary for any positive relationship between two people. Throughout Dad’s life, he always spoke with the highest praise of his son to friends and extended family.

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