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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell

My father was born in New York. He joined the Navy in World War Two as an electricians mate. He got a degree in electrical engineering and after the war moved to Arizona. He married my mother shortly after that. Dad's first job after the war was surveying for power lines for Arizona Public Service. He surveyed for the first power into Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon, and the first power in to Crown King as well as power coming off the rim into Sedona, and power lines across Mingus Mountain running from Prescott to Jerome. He saw every corner of this state, before much development happened.  He was on the first planing and zoning commission for Scottsdale Arizona. During this time in Scottsdale my mom and him were blessed with three children. My father latter got a job with General Electric where he got in on the ground floor of the computer industry and after a while was involved with projects including computer systems for the French government, Saudi Arabian government, as well as the IRS. Latter on we moved to New York and then to California where he worked for Xerox. This was how a kid who was born in Arizona went to high school in California.  Finally he cut ties with big cooperate work and bought a Delicatessen on the beach in Ventura California, and followed his passion for cooking and fine food and developed his business into two stores and a large catering business. Finally Dad sold the business and his house and bought a motor home and my mom and him traveled for several years. It was during this time he got involved in the tour guide business, working for Caravans De Mexico out of El Paso Texas, giving RV tours down to Mexico. He soon was also working for other tour companies doing western states National Park tours. during this time my mom was perfecting her skills doing fine art oil paintings. Eventually they decided to stop traveling and let my mother pursue her dream of being and artist. They picked Cottonwood Arizona as the place to settle. My mom and dad started an art supply store and studio and my mom sold paintings, did framing and matting, and taught painting, while my father ran the art supply store.  During this time my father got a job with an over seas tour company and got paid to give tours to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji, he also gave 36 day tours to South America. About 16 years ago my father's earlier smoking habit caught up with him and he was diagnosed with emphysema.  It was around this time I moved here to Cottonwood with my wife to help out my parents.  From there on he had a slow decline until finally he was completely house bound and wheel chair bound about seven years ago. 20 months ago he was no longer even able to get out of bed, where he has been since.  My mom has been lovenly caring for him this whole time.  Finally at around 10:00 on May 21st 2011 dad passed away in his sleep at home. He was a great husband to my mom, and was a great father to me and my sisters giving us a jump start in life so we had great opportunities. He taught me a lot about many things, including cooking, working with my hands, but most of all how to love living. He love good food, drink, and music, but most of all he loved my mother.

Fare you well my honey
Fare you well my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Have flown except you alone

Goin to leave this Broke-down Palace
On my hands and my knees I will roll roll roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time - in my time - I will roll roll roll

In a bed, in a bed
by the waterside I will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back back home
It's a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I've come
since I first left home

Goin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

Goin to plant a weeping willow
On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go - the river roll roll roll

Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

Brokedown Palace

Thanks to all those who have prayed and shown compasion. It means so much!

41 comments:

  1. My condolences to you and your family, AZ. You are much more eloquent with your thoughts than I was when I lost my dear mother a few years back. Well said all around.

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  2. So sorry to hear your news. You and your family are in my prayers this morning. May God's Grace and love sustain you at this difficult time.
    Geordie

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  3. My father died a few years ago. Might be hardest for sons to lose fathers; not sure why.

    "May his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace, through the mercies of God."

    Amen.

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  4. That's a beautiful tribute to you Dad, my friend. Sorry to hear of his passing. May the good Lord bless him and your whole family.

    Speedy

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  5. AZ,
    Stay strong, my friend. Remember the lessons your Dad taught you and hold them close to your heart. I am very sorry for your loss.
    Fare thee well.
    ~NYCoop

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  6. I am very sorry about your loss. I remember very clearly when I lost my Mom and Dad and both times was so hard but time heals the pain and the memories become stronger and always know that all will be reunited someday soon. I will pray for you and yours for a smooth adjustment to your lives Bill@24

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  7. My condolences on your loss. That was a beautiful tribute to him. You both were very blessed to have each other. Stay strong.

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  8. Man, your father liked the same kind of music my father likes, and I like the same kind of music you like. So, we're sort of brothers, and the pass of your father moves me like the future pass of mine (because we are all comitted to our fathers to go only after them - they all want that from us, as I want my daughter to stay after me). You and your family got our thoughts from Brazil, Man! (sorry for my english)

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  9. Dear Az...The Pain From The Loss Of Your Father Is Felt By Us All...And Our Prayers Go Out To You And Your Family In This Time Of Sadness.


    Death Leaves A Heartache No One Can Heal, Love Leaves A Memory No One Can Steal.

    Laker

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  10. My condolences on your loss.

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  11. A beautiful eulogy, my prayers are with you and your family.

    Bob W.

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  12. Great words for your father. Sorry for your loss.
    Alex

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  13. so sorry for your loss

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  14. AZ
    Our prayers are with your Mom and your Family at your time of loss Thank you for sharing with us in your time of grief. May you all rest in the everlasting arms of God.
    Chuck

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  15. My Dad died just after 9/11, Oct to be precise. My brother was stuck in the USA and got home with a day to spare before Dad died on Oct 13th 2001. At first I was angry and upset for all sorts of reasons. In time I learnt to rejoice in the happy memories of a life's experiences with Mum and Dad. Just today i found a note pad in Dads shed with his handwriting on it setting out the cutting sheet for a pergola we made together. Damned near brought me to tears ( I'm 55) but then I remembered all the good times with Dad and I smiled to myself. Remember the good times AZ, and smile for the memory of Dad. And you know what, ultimately its only right that he should leave before you. You have had a good timeslot of experiences - one of my friends lost his Dad at 35 another at 49, now that is sad.
    Remember Dad and smile my friend.

    Normski

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  16. AZ, My condolences on your loss.

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  17. I appreciate your site and your observations about our world and our destiny. And the music is a bonus. I lost my mom two years ago so I know words (especially from strangers) are little comfort. But I am thinking of and praying for you and your family at this time of loss.

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  18. sorry about your dad az.

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  19. I am a frequent visitor and through your posts had known that your father had been sick for awhile. My prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family. May the Lord welcome him home.

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  20. I wanted to share my hearfelt condolences to you and your family. Your tribute to your dad was beautiful. What a man! I love your site and it's great to find a brother in Christ who can find God's blessings in the creative musical talents that God has given to the artists you feature. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ uphold you and bless you as you mourn your loss.

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  21. Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man who lived an adventurous and fulfilling life. Our thyoughts are with you and your family AZ.Thank you for all you do and may the Lord give you strngth and peace.

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  22. My true condolences on your loss. God bless you and your family.

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  23. This is a wonderful dedication to your Dad (and both parents) that I know would make them proud. Good for you for caring so selflessly for him. I have a good friend whose story parallels yours; in fact her father passed in a similar way two weeks before yours.

    My condolences to your family.
    - Leon

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  24. My condolences to you, AZ.
    Philippe.

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  25. i'm sorry for your loss may buddha enlighten your path

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  26. My condolences to you and your family. It sounds like your dad was a wonderful father, husband, and human. You were fortunate to have been a part of his life.

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  27. My condolences to you and your family. He sounds like an exceptional man, and I regret never having met him. Take care of yourself.

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  28. All the best in your time mourning

    condolences to you and your loved ones

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  29. Sorry to hear of your sad loss. Lost my Dad 12 yrs back and I still miss him. I found consolation in my music, so play your faves and think of the good times and smile my friend.
    My condolences to you and your family.

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  30. Sympathy to you and your family. Stay strong. He still lives long and prospers!!!

    Stevespace9

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  31. Very sorry to hear of your loss. Sending good thoughts your way. Know that he has gone to a better place. Mumbles

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  32. I am most sorry for your loss, he sounds like a great man and the world will miss him

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  33. Sounds like a great guy. And good for you with your nice biography and Brokedown Palace

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  34. Condoleances from Belgium.

    Michel

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  35. Sorry to read of your sad loss. Your memorial to your beloved father speaks volumes about the kind of man he was.

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  36. Dear AZ:
    So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Nice that you were able to spend the last several years living near your parents. I'm sure that meant a lot to him.
    May he rest in peace.
    -dorgunr

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  37. Words not only of hope, but of a promise!

    I Can’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore”
    p.d., william walker, 1875

    This world's not my home - I'm just passing through –
    My treasures and my hopes - Somewhere beyond the blue –
    Many friends and kendred - Have gone one before –
    And I can't feel at home - In this world anymore

    Oh Lord you know - I have no friend like you –
    If heaven's not my home - Oh Lord what will I do –
    Angels beckon me - To heaven's open door –
    And I can't feel at home - In this world anymore

    Over in gloryland - There'll be no dying there –
    The saints all shouting victory - And singing everywhere –
    I hear the voice of them - That's gone on before –
    And I can't feel at home - In this world anymore
    -
    He's expecting me - That's one thing I know –
    A fixed it up with Jesus - A long time ago –
    He will take me through - Though I am weak and poor –
    And I can't feel at home - In this world anymore

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  38. So sorry to hear of your loss AZ. Remember the good times.

    R.I.P

    staffie

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  39. My most sincere condolences, Mr Jones. I haven't checked your blog for a long time. Sorry! My very best wishes, Barleyman

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  40. AZ,

    What a wonderful piece you wrote about your Dad. He lived the lives of several men and most important, loved his family. Thank you for sharing your spirit and your excellent taste in music.

    Regards,

    Steve

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