4d ago (edited) in Words of Wisdom
The Godfather (4 mins)
If you have read the first of these submissions you may be aware that I am working on a journal of lessons I have learned, and the first chapter is dedicated to the key lessons I learned from the people in my family. For example, here is what I wrote for my late grandfather:
"Grandad showed me that loving your family is the most important thing a man can do. He taught me the importance of Peace, and of God. Unfortunately, as the person I lost first, he also taught me the necessity of giving your loved ones their flowers whilst they are still with you. The man with a Powerful Spirit."
This week my uncle, and sister's Godfather, passed away after a short-lived battle with terminal cancer. He was a good man, who weathered incredibly difficult times. When asked how he's doing, his response was always something along the lines of "I'll be alright."
Without delving into the inner workings of my family, I can outline that my uncle's life was difficult. He and my aunt didn't have children and eventually they went separate ways after over 30 years of marriage. It was this event that highlighted to me how difficult life is for a man and this hardship is no excuse for losing your standards and being anything less than a gentleman.
When the separation happened, my aunt moved back in with her sister and parents. She was welcomed and supported. My uncle was alone, his parents had passed and he was hundreds of miles away from his childhood hometown and siblings because he had left almost three decades prior to pursue a life with his childhood sweetheart, moving close to my aunt and her family. Post separation, he was alone, his only support financially, emotionally, and mentally was himself.
Despite this, my uncle went to work day in, day out. He supported the least fortunate members of society by supplying wheelchairs to them day in, day out. Not only did he carry on contributing to society, and supporting his own livelihood. He also made an effort with my aunt, continuing to pay for her phone bills and the maintenance of her car. He was under no obligations to do this, aside from being bound by those very real obligations which come with unconditional love and selfless attempts to be a gentleman.
I am sure he loved my aunt until his dying day. I am also sure he suffered for the latter years of his life. In a way, perhaps the illness was a respite from his pain. I know, at least I think I know, what he meant every time he said he'd "be alright." As a man, it means you're not "alright," but it means you're going to keep on going. It means you're going to do the honourable and right thing, day in, day out no matter how you feel.
He was a good man, and he showed me there is no circumstance, no matter how despondent or desolate I feel where it is acceptable to loose my values, self-respect and become bitter in life. If I have half the resilience of my uncle then I will do the people I love justice.
I'm sure now he's passed on, he is finally "alright."
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The Godfather (4 mins)
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