“But on a well-banked plot Odysseus found his father in solitude
Spading the earth around a young fruit tree.” Homer, Odyssey, Bk XXIV
The father of Odysseus, Laertes, is an old man. Yet he is spading the earth around a young fruit tree. Spading the earth, as all real work, requires foresight, effort, discipline. Here is a man laboring for a fruit he will not see. A taste that is beyond his lips nonetheless moves his hands, because it is in his heart. Such is a father. He has the power to see what cannot be seen—because it simply isn’t there. Yet. His life is a series of will-be’s, for others. If he is faithful; if he is true to his own love. Oh, whence the power to be true to the love he has in his heart? True love gives not only fore-sight, it makes that vision creative; creating a fruit yielded by no other soil–one great day.
This Wednesday Household Quote is dedicated to my father, a planter of trees, who passed from this life early Monday morning, September 16, 2013. The photo is of my father, Chris, and my son, Nicholas.
Homer (8th century B.C.) is the great epic poet, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Your father was a great man who raised a great family. We are blessed who knew him.
We are truly sorry for your loss. All of the Cuddeback’s will be in our family’s prayers.
Peter & Kathryn Scheibmeir
What a beautiful, memorable, tribute to your Father! May he gaze upon the Face of Our Lord this day and rest in peace. Praying for you and all your beautiful family.
May he rest in peace. We’ll be praying for him and all of you.
May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Prayers and love to all of the Cuddebacks. May the Lord comfort you in your sorrows.
Your father will be missed by the whole community. He was a man who tended and labored over many little trees — people and institutions dedicated to serving people and glorifying God. Those who now carry on his labors and harvest their fruits will always be grateful to him.
Profound.
Also, this picture is wonderful. I was just telling Matt yesterday that among the more vivid memories I have of your father was him driving about his farm on his big tractor.
He has certainly left a legacy to be proud of. May he rest in peace. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pure poetry, John. Thank you for these uplifting and peace-giving words.
I looked to him often for answers. I will truly miss him.
Patty Sonak
I joined Chris in the fall of 1970 and remained in his employment until he retired. Chris was the most honest and careing man I have ever met, he will be missed. God bless the family.
Mr. Corns, I remember your name well. Thank you so very much for your kind words. God bless you.