my dad, john baker, died 20 years ago today.
memory is a funny thing.
when someone dies there is a big hole but the gap lessens, it fades over time.
if anything you can feel bad you don’t think of the person enough after they have gone.
but today if i think of my dad, words that spring to mind are:
integrity
unafraid to speak the truth
gentle
kind
articulate
intelligent
a love for god and people
acceptance
he gave me so much.
on his grave are written words along the lines of:
john baker awaiting the bodily resurrection of the dead and the renewal of the heavens and the earth
i always thought that was the most amazing thing to have on your grave stone…
Interesting reflection, Jonny. Whilst I think less of my own dad in terms of actual memories (he died 15 years ago), I am frequently amazed by how strong his presence is in my life, my way of thinking, my values, things I say or do. Likewise in the lives of other family members. What is more incredible is that he is there in the ways and gestures of the young children who didn’t even know him.
that’s a cool way of thinking about ongoing presence. thanks…
Like you I’m a PK. As my dad died when I was 16 so I never really had any adult conversations with him – I came across some of his writings and got the freakin’ chills – he has a PhD so his writing is geared for an academic audience but he was exploring the same themes in the church back in the ’60s and ’70s that I picked upon in the ’80s and started getting publishing in the ’90s. More recently I picked up a few snippets of my 12th and 13th grandfather Roger Williams’ work (related on my late mom’s side) and again almost lost it – yes he’s using 17th century prose but dang it – some of his comments are almost identical to things I’ve written.
Your dad’s in your genes Jonny – no wonder you do such amazing stuff. Way cool.
thanks becky! a few years back i did get a shock when i read the intro to abook he edited on church. it sounded like a critique of church and a call for re-imaginging church that could have been a talk or article i was writing.
hey i got your book finally at the weekend – great stuff. will blog about it shortly…
That is a pretty amazing thing to have written on your headstone. It evoked for me a very recent interview by Tom Wright in TIME… Your fathers headstone serves as a great summary statement of the content of that interview. Thinking of you mate.
20 years is a long time to be without someone you love……..peace to you jonny
Thanks for the helpful reflection Carole. My dad died when I was 9 and I am frequently blown away by the number of people who say I behave just like him. I barely even remember him…
Thinking of you Jonny.
may the peace of God be with you.
didn’t know that Jonny – thinking of you.
Thanks for your vulnerability on that post Jonny. I’m sure that he would be very proud of the man his son has turned out to be.