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Brian Brodhead Celebrations Guests Memories Podcast TTT Remembering

Episode 35: Remembering my Father

Remembering My Father

Welcome to a special edition of Tea Toast & Trivia – remembering my Father. Thank you for listening in…

A special thanks to Brian, my brother who added music to the podcast.

In the third chapter of Ecclesiastes (King James Version)it is written “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;”

We celebrate the first time even as we grieve at the second. And yet, in grieving there is much to celebrate. We have memories to sustain us as we continue our journey. May we create vibrant and joyful memories that build hope and resilience for those who follow after us.

My Father passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Autumn was Dad’s favourite season. He looked forward to the golden red foliage, the gentle chill against his cheek, and the brilliant sun against a light blue sky.  For him, it was a time of rebirth.

When he was a young man, my Father was a cowboy in Wyoming and Montana. He took his last ride on a morning that was filled with sunshine, surrounded by the love of his family and the hope of our faith. He is now on a new journey. We miss him – he had a brave and noble heart.  My Father believed life was meant to be lived with optimism, and open to all possibilities.

My Father was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, minister, advocate, scholar, explorer and philosopher.  Above all, he was passionately involved and excited about living within a fast paced, ever-changing world. He believed that his grandchildren were the future and prayed that each one would find peace and joy.

Mitch Albom, in his book For One More Day, wrote “When someone is in your heart, they’re never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.”

My Father loved traditional Celtic music. He came back to me when I heard this song…

The Parting Glass

Of all the money that e’er I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm I’ve ever done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To mem’ry now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befall,
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

Of all the comrades that e’er I had
They’re sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had
They’d wish me one more day to stay
But since it fell unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

24 replies on “Episode 35: Remembering my Father”

Oh Becky, what a wonderful tribute to your dear father. I am sure he is bursting with pride, wherever he is. Brian’s playing is beautiful, as is your reading of that very moving poem. You are doing a marvellous job of fulfilling your promise to tell all the stories. Sending love and hugs xxx

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Thank you, Liz for your heartwarming comments. I am so grateful that you have agreed to add your remarkable story and insights out there in “Podcast Land.” I was looking back at the history of The Parting Glass – traditional Scottish music that made it’s way throughout the world. Our generation always believes that we were the first to live in a global world. As they say, that ship sailed a long time ago.

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Thank you for remembering your father in this way. He was truly a remarkable man and the lasting contributions that he made to me and our family were huge. I am thankful for all the good and precious memories of a caring and loving man. Thank you, to Brian as well for the background music, it made this post even more remarkable.

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I am delighted that you enjoyed this podcast. Brian was amazing – he was in the middle of a dental emergency when he was recording “The Parting Glass.” It is a Scottish traditional song that is sung at the end of a gathering of friends. I understand it was the most popular parting song in Scotland before Robbie Burns wrote “Auld Lang Syne.” So much history held in the notes and words of a song.

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Thank you so much for your heartwarming encouragement! I sent Brian a last-minute text to see if he could send me his rendition of “The Parting Glass.” What I didn’t know was that he was in the middle of a dental emergency. YIKES. Even so, he sent me this audio file to back-up my recitation. I am hoping that Brian will speak to the history of specific songs. So many stories are held in our songs. Even more remarkable, throughout history songs spread ideas across the globe – from Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, John Lennon’s “Imagine” to the movie soundtrack of El CID. Always a joy to see your comments.

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Good to read your comments. I can see that your ongoing project of Podcast editions are blossoming into an exciting phenomenon of its own. Rebecca, it’s wonderful to observe how lovingly and earnestly you nurture such a thought-provoking project to go the extra mile – with the doting support and commitment of your family. As Eric Clapton sang, ‘Let it grow, let it grow…’ I feel honoured to watch out for the next hissing of the kettle… Love from Carina (on her birthday today). 😊

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Thank you!! Thank you!!! Sending huge Happy Birthday wishes to Carina – celebrating with you on our side of the world. Eric Clapton is one of Brian’s favourites! Brilliant guitarist. And speaking of podcasting – we are learning to podcast from a distance. It is a work in progress using WIFI. If you are interested and if WIFI works over the many miles, I would love to discuss your DVD collection and movies. Your blogs were masterful in bringing out the background of the movie narratives. Let me know… The teakettle is hissing as I write this… Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

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I am so glad that you joined us – so very much appreciated. Music was a huge part of Dad’s life. I’ve just asked Brian if we could look into the history of some of the music that Dad enjoyed. I believe that the story of humanity is kept safe in our songs, poetry and art. It would be a wonderful exploration – lots of treasure to be uncovered. Hugs coming right back your way.

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Rebecca, a beautiful and tender post to your father. It is filled with love, heart … the details giving us a real feel for this strong, gentle and loving man. A delight to hear your lovely reading in this podcast and a wonderful addition with the music.😀 The Mitch Albom quote is new to me … saved in my file. So touching and true!

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How wonderful to receive your heartwarming comments. What I have come to understand is that we must create amazing memories, in the here and now, because that is what will sustain those that follow after us. The grieving will diminish over time to be replaced by all the memories that flood in and provide guidance. Even now, when I encounter a difficult decision, I recall the conversations with my Father. Living in the now, celebrating this moment is the legacy that we leave. And that gives me great comfort! Hugs coming your way…

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When my dad died, my mother wanted me to write his biography because she felt that I was the only one who could do his life justice. It took me a year before I could bring myself to work on it, but the end result was just what my mother had asked for. I am eternally grateful for being able to give her that gift.

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I had goosebumps when I read your comments – an extraordinary gift to give. There is an awesome responsibility when you write a biography to get it “right.” Even more of a challenge is to write a biography of someone close to you because you relive the moments. I understand why it took a year! Have your ever noticed that a book, narrative, story seems to choose the time to be written?

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Oh, definitely. Luckily, a had a very good writing professor who advised us (wisely) to be aware of this. It’s eased a lot of frustration to be able to say, I’m not ready to write this just yet–either because of emotional closeness to the events, lack of life experience, or lack of writing chops. All have come in good time.

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