So long, Ed
Typically, I'm not affected by the passing of a celebrity. It's not like it directly relates to my life or anything. I mean, I may feel a momentary sadness at a life finished too early. Or, I may have a sense of melancholy at never hearing or seeing anything new from them. But, for some odd reason, this one seems to be affecting me a lot. Probably partially because it will be without much pomp or circumstance. I mean, there will be tributes but it most likely won't be the headline news or if mentioned on tv, it will be towards the end of the program.
I know that's part of it but there's more.
This is one of those moments when I feel like my connection with my father is slipping away little by little. Don't get me wrong, he will always be my father and I will never forget him. I get that. I know that. But sometimes it feels like the time is getting too great. The memories not as crisp. And then there's something like this death when I feel like so many things have changed that the era of my father seems not quite as tangible. I don't know if this makes any sense. I don't even know if I can quite put into words what went on in my head when I heard the news.
My father LOVED 60 Minutes. I mean, he LOVED it. Bar none, it was his favorite television show. (Not that the man watched a lot of television.) Sunday at 6:00 pm. In he would come from chores. He would turn on the tv. Loudly. If he'd had time to eat before he would sit on the couch in the living room to enjoy the show. (I would sit with him when I was home.) If he hadn't eaten before he would pull the kitchen table over so that he could watch the show while enjoying his bun and jam. And we would watch and discuss and argue over the news items. And then at the very end Andy Rooney would come on and Dad would smirk his beloved one-of-a-kind-under-the-bushy-eyebrows smirks at Andy's absurdities.
First Mike Wallace retired and now Ed Bradley's gone. And soon, the show won't have any of the familiar faces. Any of the faces connected with my dad. And THAT'S what makes me mourn Ed's death.
I know that's part of it but there's more.
This is one of those moments when I feel like my connection with my father is slipping away little by little. Don't get me wrong, he will always be my father and I will never forget him. I get that. I know that. But sometimes it feels like the time is getting too great. The memories not as crisp. And then there's something like this death when I feel like so many things have changed that the era of my father seems not quite as tangible. I don't know if this makes any sense. I don't even know if I can quite put into words what went on in my head when I heard the news.
My father LOVED 60 Minutes. I mean, he LOVED it. Bar none, it was his favorite television show. (Not that the man watched a lot of television.) Sunday at 6:00 pm. In he would come from chores. He would turn on the tv. Loudly. If he'd had time to eat before he would sit on the couch in the living room to enjoy the show. (I would sit with him when I was home.) If he hadn't eaten before he would pull the kitchen table over so that he could watch the show while enjoying his bun and jam. And we would watch and discuss and argue over the news items. And then at the very end Andy Rooney would come on and Dad would smirk his beloved one-of-a-kind-under-the-bushy-eyebrows smirks at Andy's absurdities.
First Mike Wallace retired and now Ed Bradley's gone. And soon, the show won't have any of the familiar faces. Any of the faces connected with my dad. And THAT'S what makes me mourn Ed's death.
posted by ccap at 12:38 PM
5 Comments:
Kay I know it's kinda wierd, but *I* teared up at *your* memory. I guess it's cause your my friend whom I love.
I also teared up at todays memory of 60 minutes. I had tears when I heard the news as well. (This will come of no surprise to anyone who knows me.) This is also my father's favourite show, one he waits for all week. He is a tv watcher, unlike your dad, but I completely associate the show with him. I do not know the feeling of losing a parent but it is something I think about. My heart and thoughts go out to you.
I thought of you and your dad as soon as I read the news. I'm sorry...
I hadn't heard about Ed Bradley passing, but I know exactly what you mean...
Yeah, it had a similar effect on me.
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