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Katie Daley's avatar

When the hearse pauses in front of his house, I also pause. I feel the engine idling, the silent nod from hearse to house and house to hearse. As if the house is saying, "I've carried him this far, now carry him home." It's quite a moment.

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Deborah Way's avatar

It really is. And I love the idea of carrying him home. In death he got to travel all the way to his heaven

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Kate Walter's avatar

thank you for your comment. It was very moving moment as the hearse paused and we all

turned and looked at the house, and then the hearse moved on.

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Shldntbeashamed's avatar

Oh dear! I just wrote a long message and I can't find it now!

I'll try again! I love this story, as I love your dad and how big his heart was. (He was also extremely handsome!) Though he never left the East Coast or moved from the house he grew up in, he clearly had a big impact on many people, and passed his love of poetry, writing, and music on to you. And that's not a small thing or a small life at all! The image of the hearse stopping by the house is heartbreaking but beautiful. A great ending to your story honoring your father's spirit. 💙🎶🎷🎹📚❤️

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Kate Walter's avatar

thank your so much for your comment. My father did have a big impact on many people, including me. I'm a writer who taught creative writing. I play the ukelele and belong to a singing group.

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Mjb Fresh's avatar

Not only do I feel like I know and love your dad, but I can now invoke the phrase "Patersonians"!

I really relate to the idea of teaching a lifetime in a specific neighborhood, and developing educational and enrichment roots with generations in that 'hood! I feel that kinship to our immediate northern suburbs in nyc!

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Kate Walter's avatar

Thanks so much for your comment.

I like the idea that my father taught in his native city. Both his parents were born in Paterson too.

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

The simplest of stories, but with such a huge impact. I loved reading about how many people's lives he touched and it probably never even occurred to him that was so. What a touching story. ♥

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Kate Walter's avatar

thank you for your comment.

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Mary Beth Butler's avatar

What a beautiful story of a handsome and devoted person.

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Kate Walter's avatar

thank you for you comment. My father was devoted to his family, his work, and his faith.

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Ed Koenig's avatar

A beautiful story about a wonderful human being who should serve an example for all of us in these turbulent times. Thank you for sharing his story.

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Kate Walter's avatar

thank you so much for your comment, and yes, my father is a good example for us during these turbulent times.

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Kristine Kopperud's avatar

"a mistake to think he lived a small life." Thank you for this portrait of your dad's astonishing investment in your family and community--and in his musicianship. My teacher-dad was also a small-ensemble moonlighter, and I grew up in similar awe of this other dimension to his accomplishment.

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Doreen Frances's avatar

What a lovely tribute to your father. Music has a way of transporting you through time and space as well. I'm a Lindy Hop dancer, so I listen to live jazz bands often, and when you're out on the floor dancing to that music, there is nothing like it. It feels like you are in another time and place. The next time I'm on the dance floor and I hear the saxophone I will think of this story and your handsome dad in his dark suit playing his sax.

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Jan Burns's avatar

What a sharp guy! And it seems he filled his world, that may have been geographically small, with a rich life centered around family and community. Nothing small about that!

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Char Breshgold's avatar

All of your words accompanied by those gorgeous family photos painted such a complete picture.

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