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Seeing my now frail father sitting close to the water’s edge, I took a deep breath mustering up all my strength, but still another defi­ ant tear rolled down my cheek, which he quickly wiped away. You see, fishing with my larger than life Dad was everything to me as a child. The entire family knew I was “a chip off the old block” as he often referred to me, so this day of fishing with him was impor­ tant. His words, strong and profound, made for the most memorable day together. My Dad managed a popular New Orleans Canal Street music store full time, then on weekends moonlighted as musician with his band, The Rhythm Masters. He, Mom and a few other parents began a Youth group at our fam­ ily church so that my sisters and I would have a place to go as teens in the 1970’s. The group is still active, now with a beautiful rec center and basketball court. Heartwarming to see teens there to this day. Obsessed with fishing and the outdoors, when Dad retired he began a new career, writing about fishing and even wrote several books.The best childhood memories for me was being in that boat with my skilled father. If we were catching fish, he was like a child in a candy store. I knew that when my Dad told me he was not at all afraid of death, that he meant it. Having faith makes such a dif­ ference in the end of life. He also knew that by living a good life, that would take him to my wonderful mother. Daddy went on to say that it’s how you live your life, giving back to others less fortu­ nate, having a huge heart for others or your church family, makes dying less frightful. I remember his words so well. “Our faith tells me that us that our dear Lord has a beautiful place prepared for me. I am more afraid of dying but being here with you, close to your sisters has taken that anxiety away. It’s not that I am so brave, I am just resilient in my faith.” Less than two weeks after that Daddy went to be with Mom. It was on a perfectly perfect day, just like this. So beautiful that a slight breeze just carried in a beautiful egret. He landed at the water’s edge, right across the pond. As he delicately approaches the water’s edge, it’s obvious he is looking for any baby fish who are unfortunate to attend his party. May sound cliché but I’m thinking of the circle of life. Thinking about how the day we are born starts our journey. Good decisions or bad made in our lives has somehow led us to this exact day and time. Losing Dad and also my husband six months later has put me on a quest to find my own inspiration for what is left of this life our Maker bestowed on me. Realizing collectively that we are today exactly where we aredoes­ n’t mean we have to be in that place tomorrow. Mom and Dad demonstrated through a life of examples that pure love and kind­ ness for others makes life worth living. Seniors reading this are all in differing places, financially, family, happy sad or otherwise. We might be facing a huge stress about our health, a sick or aging family member or other worry. The truth is that where you are today isn’t where you have to be tomorrow. I believe that no matter how poor, how sad, how miser­ able or happy our lives may be, we still can give kindness to others. Fixed incomes, holiday stresses, and any other worries do not have to prevent us from doing one small act of kindness for another. My own joy often comes in seeing a little compliment meant to brighten some one else’s day actually make mine better. That day two years ago with my Dad, between the layers of turkey sandwiches and the tangled fishing lures, there was the sharing of profoundly inspiring words. My father truly let me know that his life’s path to peace in dying was by living, loving and giving. How simplistic and beautiful. S 12 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Summer 2021