19 Comments
Jun 6Liked by Deborah Way

I feel the quiver of deep waters in this poignant story.

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Very beautifully said. Thank you Chris.

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Very moving.

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Thank you Vicki.

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I'm happy for you he shared the articles, and you got to see the contents of the memory box. I find it terribly interesting that your father revealed his playful side around water, the place where he lost so much.

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Yes, I suppose in some ways he could never fear water again having been through what he had, that nothing could be worse than that terrible tragedy. He knew he was safe in pools. He even talked about wanting to go on another cruise. That surprised me.

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Jun 6Liked by Deborah Way

I may be different from others, but I think your father had to hide his emotions in order to survive. He did it to protect his family. Why grow up under the shadow of such a tragedy? There is no denying that he was a good father. I love that he does finally share his pain -- but on his timing. Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute to him. :-)

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Oh, I like that, that he did it to protect his family.

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Jun 6Liked by Deborah Way

Such a tragedy. Thank you for sharing this most painful of memories.

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Thank you Shari.

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So very touching, thank you for sharing these complicated feelings

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Thank you Lisa. You're right. These feelings are complicated. Mostly, I feel sadness for my father. I wish so much that I had asked more questions while he was alive. But I'm not sure he could have taken it. Thinking about his response, it might have been very brief, if at all.

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Jun 6Liked by Deborah Way

Beautiful story. I love the photo of you and your father. His face shows the deep love he had for you.

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Aw, thank you so much Nancy. I love that picture too. I love his expression.

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Jun 7Liked by Deborah Way

Odd. My Mom used to tell us about her Dad driving the family to the NJ Shore to see the wreckage of the Moro Castle ...

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author

The ship ran aground at Asbury Park and stayed there for the next six months until it was towed away. It was so close to shore that people would wade out to see and touch it.

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they looked at it from the boardwalk, once.

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Jun 6Liked by Deborah Way

So poignant, the image of your father with the newspaper clippings spread out on the dining room table and yet still silence. Could this have been the only way he knew to crack open the door to his tragic past? You have that moment for your memory box.

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Such a touching story. Thank you for sharing.

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