http://jon-odell.com/blog Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:22:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://jon-odell.com/blog/stories-of-the-spirit/who-is-this-man/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Jon Odell Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:22:33 +0000 http://jon-odell.com/blog/?page_id=281#comment-108 Thank you for all your kind words and for offering your own insights. You give me much to think about. My dad died over two years ago. I began writing this essay before he passed. I was able to be with him the last few months of his life and we talked through many things. It was no picnic, but we went a long way toward closure. I find that writing about him, brings him near. I don't believe death will have the final say about his and my relationship. Everyday I find more and more of him in me, so the conversation goes on. Thank you for all your kind words and for offering your own insights. You give me much to think about.
My dad died over two years ago. I began writing this essay before he passed. I was able to be with him the last few months of his life and we talked through many things. It was no picnic, but we went a long way toward closure. I find that writing about him, brings him near. I don’t believe death will have the final say about his and my relationship. Everyday I find more and more of him in me, so the conversation goes on.

]]> http://jon-odell.com/blog/stories-of-the-spirit/who-is-this-man/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Rob Howard Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:33:58 +0000 http://jon-odell.com/blog/?page_id=281#comment-106 jonathan, thanks for plucking off the perfect pretty picture people often slap on Jesus and showing us his real beauty. My dad too tried to teach me how to murder joy. Fortunately I failed him. And even as he now faces amputation and death, I feel joy gusting through me. It comes and goes, like the rest of life. Turns out that dad sometimes fails his own lesson, like when he laughs with me. God, what a blending of voices. Makes me wonder if somewhere along the Via Dolorosa Jesus cracked a smile. jonathan, thanks for plucking off the perfect pretty picture people often slap on Jesus and showing us his real beauty. My dad too tried to teach me how to murder joy. Fortunately I failed him. And even as he now faces amputation and death, I feel joy gusting through me. It comes and goes, like the rest of life. Turns out that dad sometimes fails his own lesson, like when he laughs with me. God, what a blending of voices. Makes me wonder if somewhere along the Via Dolorosa Jesus cracked a smile.

]]> http://jon-odell.com/blog/stories-of-the-spirit/who-is-this-man/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Kenneth Weene Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:45:48 +0000 http://jon-odell.com/blog/?page_id=281#comment-105 Jonathan, I hope that the rest of your life is the picnic that your father told you it wasn't. I know that Jesus wants us to rejoice and be glad, to experience the fullness of our being. Jonathan, I hope that the rest of your life is the picnic that your father told you it wasn’t. I know that Jesus wants us to rejoice and be glad, to experience the fullness of our being.

]]> http://jon-odell.com/blog/stories-of-the-spirit/who-is-this-man/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Julia Opipari Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:15:50 +0000 http://jon-odell.com/blog/?page_id=281#comment-104 Jonathan--really a great read--utterly cerebral and simply beautiful. Really appreciate your honesty...heartbreaking as it is, but the best part is hearing you discover joy and happiness--now knowing what it's like. I'm sad for your Father's condition and I'm hoping that he will not suffer too long. Jonathan–really a great read–utterly cerebral and simply beautiful. Really appreciate your honesty…heartbreaking as it is, but the best part is hearing you discover joy and happiness–now knowing what it’s like. I’m sad for your Father’s condition and I’m hoping that he will not suffer too long.

]]> http://jon-odell.com/blog/stories-of-the-spirit/who-is-this-man/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Michael Lockhart Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:02:11 +0000 http://jon-odell.com/blog/?page_id=281#comment-102 Beautiful. Makes me think of how many young males are too "meek" for their fathers to accept... too empathic, too honest, too whatever. Sad. Beautiful. Makes me think of how many young males are too “meek” for their fathers to accept… too empathic, too honest, too whatever. Sad.

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