August 31
My father died on the 31st August. The truth is, it was a very long time ago and it isn’t like I am overcome with grief. I could almost forget what day it is. But once upon a time it was a momentous day, that profoundly altered the course of my life, in ways I’m sure I don’t even realise. So I always feel like I should mark it somehow. I’m just never really sure how. It seems a bit late to begin now, but I like the idea of having some little ritual of remembrance. Just what is the thing. I don’t have any memories of things we actually did together, or that he particularly liked, which would be the obvious way to mark such an occasion. I am going to put my mind to it.
It’s also usually Father’s Day the following Sunday. Bad timing. On occasion I have given my Mum something on Father’s Day, just some little thing as a way of acknowledging that she did it on her own. But I don’t do it every year, haven’t for a while, and usually don’t post things. However, I have realised today that this year I will actually see Mum on Father’s Day, and I don’t have anything, which might have been nice to have. And I can’t think of anything, or where I can get it between now and Brisbane tomorrow either.
I will just go away and ponder these conundrums ...