Father’s Day in the USA

First Father’s Day Without my Papa

Since I can no longer express my love and appreciation for him directly to him, I’ll do it here.

The following poem epitomizes my father’s lifelong attitude, a guiding principle that he applied to his own life and taught to everyone he mentored. We made remembrance cards, with his photo on one side, and the poem on the other side, and gave them out at his funeral.

Don’t Quit

(Anonymous)

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out–

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are.

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

About Marahm

At first glance, I may appear to be a middle-aged American woman with kids, grandkids, retired from a job in a hospital, gratefully relieved from the responsibilities that come with all of that. Behind the image, which is true enough, I am fairly unhinged from much of American mainstream living, having spent twelve years in Saudi Arabia, years that sprung me from societal and familial impositions, and narrow bands of truth. I have learned to embrace my identity as a seeker, an artist, and a writer. I study Arabic and Italian language, because I love them, and I love their people. I still dream of spending more time in the Middle East and Italy, though the dreaming now seems more real than the possibilities. I am a photographer. I write, and sometimes publish, flash memoir, and now a blog or two.

View all posts by Marahm →

5 Responses to Father’s Day in the USA

Umm Ibrahim says:

June 15, 2008 at 4:37 pm

Assalaamu alaikum,

That is so beautiful.

Still early in the day for you I guess… I hope you and your mum are coping well although I am sure it’s a difficult day for you both.

Love and hugs xxx

~W~ says:

June 15, 2008 at 6:12 pm

God bless your father, and help you and your family cope with your loss.
I loved the poem, it is very inspiring.

darvish says:

June 16, 2008 at 3:12 am

You made me teary eyed, and I am grateful for it, dear Sister 🙂 May Allah bless you and your mother and family on this day without your dear father, and may He lighten your heart with the certain knowledge that your father is among the first ranks of His beloveds.

Ameen.

Ya Haqq!

Marahm says:

June 16, 2008 at 3:35 am

Thank you, Friends, for your support. I needed it.

Shahrzad says:

June 16, 2008 at 8:28 pm

Father’s dat in Iran is at the birthday of Imam Ali bin Abitaleb. And Mother’s day in Honor of Fatima, daughter of prophet (peace upon them all). Anyway i dont believe in making days for mom, dad, etc.. But i buy gifts usually make gofts for them. 🙂