Dad on the Pony is a photograph by Lenore Senior which was uploaded on June 16th, 2012.
Dad on the Pony
Willoughby F. Senior (1916-1984). He was a difficult and complicated man. We loved him, with perhaps mixed feelings. What he gave to me was a sense... more
Title
Dad on the Pony
Artist
Lenore Senior
Medium
Photograph
Description
Willoughby F. Senior (1916-1984). He was a difficult and complicated man. We loved him, with perhaps mixed feelings. What he gave to me was a sense of empathy for others, my desire for justice, a love and appreciation of people from other countries, an ability to listen (since he did most of the talking), a tremendous sense of humor, a love of reading, encouragement to think for myself and not go along with the crowd, a love of animals, appreciation of art and all things creative, and a strong sense of loyalty, ethics, and family. And for these things, and more, I can be grateful. The single most important event in his life was the death of his mother when he was 8 years old. He adored her. She died in childbirth because her doctor (a family friend) was drunk. Because of that, he hated alcohol and he never drank the stuff. How he earned his living did not define him. He was always a creative, sensitive artist whose fundamental grief throughout his lifetime also gave him an overcompensating sense of humor. If anyone wonders where I got my freckles, wonder no more. And is it any wonder that, late in life, I returned for my Master's degree to become a grief counselor?.... I did not take this photo, of course, but changed it from a slightly colored photo to a black and white and added a little by way of painterly effects. This photo is entered in memory of my father and for fathers everywhere in honor of Father's Day.
Uploaded
June 16th, 2012
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Comments (27)
Susan Culver
Lenore, this story of your father and your relationship with him, so touching, as daughters our father's have great power over who we become, a single word from them can change who we might have become. My father too was a difficult man, and hard to understand, but he effected me more than any person in my life. Wonderful tribute to your father, and to you
Betty Pieper
Loving history and old photographs I was drawn immediately to this and said to self, "What a beautiful little boy." I wish I had something of my father from his early years. He also was difficult and complex, sensitive, caring, self-sacrificing...and I also had a far different experience from my sister and brother who were close in age and years younger. On so many levels this is significant. I took care of an elderly neighbor for 5 years...One of the first things he said when I met him was that he lost his mother at age 7. It was one of the last things he talked about as he lay dying. I'm so glad the man can live with you as the boy, and that you have honored him so thoroughly.
Byron Varvarigos
What a beautiful tribute, Lenore! So much strength in that face and posture! fv!
Lenore Senior replied:
Thank you, Byron, for your comment. Sometimes we need to look into our own face as when we were as a child. It makes it more possible to forgive ourselves....
Xueling Zou
Beautiful and thoughtful! What a lovely Father's day gift to all your viewers. From you and Dawn's writing, it is very interesting to see the character of your father from both of your experiences. So well done!
Lenore Senior replied:
Thank you, Xueling, and it's good to see you observed that difference in perspective. Thanks!
Elizabeth Sullivan
I really enjoyed reading the description that went with the photograph. Thank you for sharing this with us. f&v
Bob Orsillo
What a beautiful way to honor your father and thank him for the wonderful person you became! - v/f/g
Jolanta Anna Karolska
What a wonderful tribute to your father Lenore...love the photo.. I have also been thinking about my late father..and as yours...mine was also complicated but I always loved him deeply... Happy Fathers Day to all fathers around the globe..
Lenore Senior replied:
Thank you, Jolanta, and I completely agree and appreciate what you've said here.
Yumi Johnson
Wonderful memory and great photo to share with other Lenore, I lost my father I was 15 years old he was great father.
Lenore Senior replied:
Yumi~I am sorry to hear of your loss of a wonderful father at the young age of 15. I think that has such a huge impact on one's life. Thank you for your comment.
Marsha Heiken
This is a precious photo. I am glad you have it. I have no young pictures of dad so you are blessed. Thanks for comment on Pure White. Hugs,Marsha V&F
Alga Washington
A very wonderful tribute to your father Lenore.
Lenore Senior replied:
Thank you so much, Alga, and I love to see pictures of your beautiful family members.
Dawn Senior-Trask
What a delightful and poignant surprise to see this beloved photo and read your insightful and loving description! I always thought that Dad practiced on you and Thor, so by the time I came along, he'd perfected being a father. I didn't have the mixed feelings and experiences with him that you and our brother did. For me he was pure love and fun. He did talk a lot sometimes -- I hung on every word and wished I could remember each turn of phrase -- but he also gave me plenty of space and freedom. Your description gives me new insights -- although, of course, I knew about his mother's death when he was little, its impact on the remainder of his life is something I didn't always realize. I love how you have presented this family treasure and your own view of the rich heritage passed down to us by our father!
Lenore Senior replied:
Since you are 13 years younger than me and 11 years younger than Thor, you do have a different perspective. Thanks for sharing your insights and I'll follow up!
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