Sometimes, you are blissfully into a book, a conversation or movie when a phrase can pop up and actually affect you physically.
I was reading the book The Overstory by Richard Powers when a phrase jumped off the page startling me. I gasped, groaned a bit and tears welled in my eyes.
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." This was a saying my father used frequently. It was often a way for him to end a fruitless conversation concerning future worries. This phrase from Mathew 6:34 is basically imploring us not to worry about tomorrow. Today is what we are to concern our selves with. I swear I felt him in the room as I read those words. It was a comforting yet eerie feeling.
I adored my Dad who was the smartest man I have ever known. He knew the answer to everything or could convince you he was right even if he wasn't. He use to tell folks that he never spoke till he was three years old but that his first word was "indubitably." That always got a laugh but I always halfways believed him:)
Dad was agnostic so where he came up with that biblical quote I have no idea but it was a favorite of his, especially if any of us were worrying about a future event that we had little control over. He was telling us to handle today's problems for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Kind of the basis of AAA's mantra of "One day at a time."
Seeing this uncommon phrase in a novel shocked me quite a bit and it let me spend some lovely memory time with my daddy.
I mentioned he was agnostic but late in life he had a near death experience that changed him quite a bit. He wrote 3 legal sized pages of his experience but wouldn't let anyone read it. He said it contained things we weren't supposed to know.
He did briefly summarize the experience for me. He said he was on the banks of the Jordan when he saw his deceased father standing together with my Dad's brother. This brother died as an infant before my Dad was born. He said the odd thing was he recognized his brother right away even though he appeared as a grown man. His father told him he didn't have to go with them then and could wait a while. Dad said he had things to do and said he would wait, which he did.
After that experience, for the first time, he kept a Bible among his reference books. However the quote was not newly learned from the recently handy Bible. He had used that quote from Mathew ever since I could remember as a child. Somehow I feel that that phrase fits today's evils quite well. Trying to tell me something Dad?
Ever read or hear an uncommon phrase or expression that immediately reminds you of a loved one and for a second, they are right there with you?
Patti, I enjoyed this so much as soon as I finished I went back to the top and read it again. I loved the biblical quote that made you think of your dad, and I chuckled too over his first word! The rest of it put a lump in my throat, a lovely piece from a lovely person. I hope your back is doing better, and thanks for sharing these memories with us. May I ask how long it's been since you dad passed on?
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteI am so happy you enjoyed this post. It was a bit powerful when it happened to me. His first word was a chuckle for it took people so by surprise. My Dad died in 1986.
Wow, that's a great post! I've never heard that Bible quote before and in a hundred years I wouldn't have come up with the same meaning for it that you and your dad did. Thanks for taking us along on your walk down Memory Lane.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteBecause the quote was so obscure was why it stunned me to see it in print. The full verse came from the Sermon on the Mount and reads.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
I don't think I've had that experience, at least not recently. I'm not religious, I believe that Jesus was a great prophet and a good man we should all listen to and learn from. I also think it's a good idea to read the Bible, there's so much wisdom there.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteI am much like you and my father as far as religion goes. Definitely no organized beliefs. But I will pray for friends who are in either physical or emotional pain.
Great post! I am always amazed to read about peoples near death experiences. My mom had a cd of about 10 old songs she loved to listen to from the 50s. 3-months after her passing, we went to a restaurant she loved, so I was thinking of her anyway. They have always played relatively modern music. For the next hour, all the songs from her cd played in that restaurant. It was surreal.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteJust reading that gave me a chill. I can only imagine how it effected you that day. Wow.
That is such a compelling story about your dad. I love that you shared it here. I'm not sure I understand the quote from The Overstory, but I so love your father's interpretation. His story about his first word is truly wonderful. Thank you for sharing this story with us. Interestingly we have a copy of The Overstory in our bookcase. My older brother read and recommended it, and Roger has read it as well.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteI can recommend the book but at the same time warn you. It is long, has 9 main characters and you will learn a lot about trees. The depressing part is how we humans are destroying our earth. I know that all ready worries you. Wonderful book but read with caution.
This was a chilling experience. I'm sure. It was like your Dad was in presence at the time...looking over your shoulder with reminders of live for today and don't dwell on the tomorrows.
ReplyDeleteI must go and find the Bible passage.
And...in the lighter side...love his first spoken word.
Anni,
DeleteYes it was just like that. As for his first word, it always brought first disbelief then a laugh. Even when I knew what was coming, I'd laugh just to see their faces.
I have not had that experience yet, but can appreciate what you experienced. What a nice way to recall the love you have for your Dad.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteI hope if you do have the experience it is as pleasant for you as mine was.
My father too was a wonderful, knowledgeable man but he was not an "answer man". If I would ask him a question he would give me a list of references to use to search for the answer. He said we might never had all the answers in this lifetime but the important thing was to always ask questions. You and I both had wonderful dads.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteYes we did!! Your Dad was smart to make you look it up. That would make you remember much longer than if he just rattled off the answer.
What happened to the three sheets of paper that he wrote? That's where my mind goes--lol!
ReplyDeleteYour dad sounds like a wonderful, interesting man. I think a lot like the both of you.
A saying that reminds me of all my old Swedish relatives (now gone) but I never hear it...whenever someone was worrying over something bad that might happen or could happen one of them would say "there's no need to borrow trouble" or "now don't you waste your time borrowing trouble". :)
Rita,
DeleteI did ask that question of my mom but she said he destroyed them not too long after he wrote them. I would have loved to have known what he wrote.
I have heard the expression about not borrowing trouble. That is right along the same lines.
Many quotes or sayings remind me of my dad. He died nearly a year ago so it's still fresh. It must strike you even harder when it's been such a long time and all the memories hit. That is certainly a quote that I need to keep in mind. How wonderful that you got to spend some "time" with your dad by reminiscing about his life!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI am sure you will get the same rush of emotion if you hear one of his favorites. It was wonderful to spend those moments with my Dad once more. I do so miss him.
Your father sounds lovely Patti. I find not worrying difficult about the future these days. But he is correct. Did you ever get to read the pages after he passed? I find that truly interesting.
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteAh, back to back Margarets. Can't have too much of a good thing:)
No, I didn't and I really wanted to. Mom said he destroyed them shortly after he wrote them. That brief summery was all I got. I have always been interested in near death experiences. Prior to his own, Dad would just roll his eyes at the mention of one. I think it shook him.
Yes. I have been there. Its lovely to have a pleasant stroll with the past.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteIsn't it a delightful surprise when that happens? So glad you have had the experience too.
You gave me goosbumps too. My Dad (also agnostic) used to say that. He called himself a recovered Catholic. I too would have loved to see what he wrote about his near death experience but we all have our private spaces I think.
ReplyDeleteCelia,
DeleteThat is amazing. Both our Dads, both agnostic decided to adopt that same obscure Bible quote. Wow.
Yeah, me too on wanting to have known the whole experience.
You got me thinking about my dad, who died in 1979. We were close when I was growing up, and he got me started reading sci-fi. His favorite expression was "IPOIO" (Innate Perversity of Inanimate Objects). :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteWell his favorite is even more obscure than my Dad's so I am sure if you run across it you would get the same feelings I got.
I have heard the quote before, but don't remember if I knew it was from the Bible, and I never assigned that meaning to it. I will now.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteEvidently that was the intent according to the context in Matthew. It also fits nicely with Rita's family expression of "not to borrow trouble."
Can't think of any uncommon expressions that I've come across that reminded me of loved ones, Patti. Everyday though, I think of old rhymes mom would tell us as life guides. Also, the older I get, the more I see her eyes looking back at me in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteI hope that is a comforting feeling seeing her eyes. Interesting about those rhymes. My Mom did too. "Stitch in time" "Beauty is as beauty does," etc. She was full of them.
I've heard the quote before, but it's been a long time. Your Dad was a very smart man and his near death experience sounds amazing. It's unfortunate he felt the need to destroy his writings but then again, perhaps as he said, there was too much for you to know.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad had quotes too, but they were more along the line of A blind man riding by on horseback won't notice the difference. :)
Eileen,
DeleteLike your Dad's saying about a blind man, those sayings all hold a good bit of truth.
Nope, can't say that I have. My parents weren't great talkers and we weren't raised to ask questions.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteSo sorry about that for most kids are full of questions. Of course today, Google does that job quite well.
Wow! Thanks for sharing that experience. And the full quote with your explanation was nice. I've had a similar "washed-over, peaceful, comfortable" visit from my first husband (died in '83.) It's not a scary experience but very definite. You can feel a presence but not quite all there. It's also described in the book "Saturday Night Widows."
ReplyDeleteMy son had a comforting experience when he interviewed for vet school: said he felt my Dad's presence and the scent of his cologne. Another time, during a presentation, he felt his deceased Golden Retriever lean against him and had that slight spring aroma from just having come in from the rain. Angels are real. Linda in Kansas
Linda,
DeleteIt sounds wonderful that your husband has remained as a comfort and guiding force to you and your son. We expect angels from family members but the story about your son's dog was so unexpected and sweet.
All dogs go to heaven! (Not typically in the order of the dogs featured in the movie.) Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteI have always hoped that.
On occasion.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteMe too.
It's been an exciting day here.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteCan't wait to hear about it.
I can't think of any sayings that remind me of someone but music does. I'll hear a certain song and it will take me back to a time with my Dad.
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteI know what you mean. Me too with music. It can take you right back to the time you heard it and who you were with.
I can't remember anything remotely close to that but I did have a very strong dream that seemed so real.
ReplyDeleteabout 4 days after my husband died I dreamed that someone knocked at the front door and when I opened the door it was Dick. I wasn't surprised but said "I thought you were dead" and he said, "I am...I just came to say goodbye." (He had been sick for a long time and dropped dead while away from me, so it all made sense to me and it was comfortingl)
Ginnie,
DeleteWow, that gave me chills. What an amazing comfort that had to have been.
Near death experiences have changed a lot of people. My Grandpa lived and died in the house I was growing up in. The morning he died, he sat up in bed(he had been bedridden for a long time) and said, "Do you hear the angels?" My father, mother and my aunt were at the bedside and heard him say it. They said he had a smile on his face and the fact he had talked was amazing because he hadn't been able to for a long time. I'm sure your daddy had a near death experience that changed him forever.
ReplyDeletePatti, you do write the best blog posts. I must confess that I was glad you explained that quote because I didn't quite understand it. Now that I know, it really is a wise thought. Indubitably. Your dad sounds like a truly awesome fellow.
ReplyDeleteMy mother's sister told me she wasn't afraid to die because she died once and was brought back to life when she was younger. In that short time she hovered above her body and could hear what everyone was saying in the other room. I wonder.