My first memory of my father, in 1952, was of him on the other side of our kitchen door. I was 18 months old and sitting in the dark on our dining room floor, my eyes fixated on the thin yellow line of light under the door.
I could hear the electric percolator, and the water running in the sink. Eventually his lunchbox snapped shut. With a click the light went out. I thought he was leaving us. But he wasn’t. He stayed with us forever.
My final memory of my father was in 2008. I dreamed of a vast landscape at sunset. A wide band of sunlight above the trees grew thinner and thinner until it disappeared altogether.
The ringing of the phone startled me awake. I knew it was my brother at the hospital. He didn’t have to tell me. I already knew that our dad had passed.
My book is about everything in between these two memories, with some on both sides. The title, Affliction, is the word my father used when he was young to describe his sexual orientation.
It comes out July 13. I can’t wait for you to read it.
Lisa L Gruman says
Hi, again, dear Laura:
So delighted to see, after a closer look at the photo provided for this blog entry, that it actually shows your book and that the title is “Affliction: Growing Up With a Closeted Gay Dad”. Love the photo, love the book cover, love the title!
+Lisa G.
Eddie Casson says
Laura I’m so thrilled your book is nearly here!
I know the process of writing / publishing a book and I’m so happy for you.
Congratulations!!!
Laura Hall says
Thanks so much, Eddie!
Brad Carvey says
Can’t wait to read it. It was easy to preorder on Amazon. It will arrive magically on July 13, 3 days after I turn 70.
I have a brass duck head that Ralph gave me. I have it near by. When I notice it, I remember him as the kindest adult that I knew.
Laura Hall says
I cried when I read this, Brad. He spoke about others this way, too, about how kind they were. I’m sure he felt that way about you. Thank you for sharing your delightful brass duck head story. Now I’ll have that image in my mind whenever I think of you. You’re so dear.
Lisa L Gruman says
Dear Laura:
That is an amazingly early first memory and a vividly moving final one.
When young, your dad may have titled his sexual orientation as his affliction, but everything in between those two memories was about his being a blessing.
Thank you for being a blessing by sharing with us your great love for your wonderful father, who stayed with you forever.
Here’s to the July 13th publication of your loving tribute to him.
Sincerely,
+Lisa G.
Laura Hall says
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, one of the things he told me in the last few months before he passed was that he (then) understood that “God loved” him. He was at peace. Thank you for your unwavering support and love over the years.
Helen Meek says
Congratulations
Laura Hall says
Thank you, Helen!