This week, my daddy’s obituary popped up in front of me when I least expected. It appeared at the time my mom was visiting, so I ran to the room she was in and shared it with her once again. She was as delighted as I was to revisit the words about the essence of my dad. What a divine being he physically was and still is in his spiritual realm!
My dad’s physical life concluded on June 15, 1996; he would have been celebrating his 69th birthday on June 28 this year — the same day my mom came to visit us from Bermuda! As far as age goes, my dad “moved on” pretty early, but he certainly made his mark here on Earth before he left.
A few of the things documented in my dad’s obituary that highlight his genuine character are:
“…Ainsey was a ‘people person’ who tried very hard not to offend anyone. With his non-threatening disciplinary style, his love of conversation and debate, and his wonderful sense of humour, many young people who came in contact with him enjoyed his company and looked up to him as a role model…”
“…Mathematics and Technical Drawing were his favorite subjects during his school days…………….His children fondly recall the ease with which he assisted them with their math homework…”
“…Ainsey’s enigmatic personality attracted people from all ages and all walks of life. He was often referred to as a ‘philosopher,’ because he was wise beyond his years and had a great zest for knowledge….”
“…Ainsworth loved to cook and entertain. He said it helped him to relax after a hard day’s work. He was often found in the kitchen experimenting with various dishes. His home was likened to “The house of Abraham” by the Archbishop of his church because anyone was welcome there and made to feel at home with good food, plenty laughter and great conversation…”
“…His mother-in-law brags that in her 40-year relationship with her son-in-law, not once did they exchange a cross word…”
“…These past two years (during his illness) gave Ainsey the opportunity to create a legacy of love; in that he rekindled friendships, gained new friends and brought an already close-knit family even closer…”
“…On Saturday, June 15, 1996, with his wife at his bedside reading Psalm 112, Ainsworth peacefully closed his eyes and moved on to a better place…”
You know, I often stand in awe of how blessed my life has been having been raised and guided by the well-known and beloved Ainsworth Norwood Burgess — lovingly known as “Kebede” (an Ethiopian name that means “Powerful”). Memories of my dad make my heart smile and smile and smile!
Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the gift of your presence and parenting. Thank you with every fiber of my being for the love you showered me with and the worthwhile lessons you took time to teach me. I know a big reason why I love myself and others so much is a direct result of the unconditional LOVE that oozed out of you and Momma — a wonderful parenting team!
Thank you God for my parents! My life feels incredibly richly blessed because of them!
By the way, I’m pretty sure my love of greens all started with my dad — what an advocate of eating greens he was! As I ate some broccoli last night, I said to my mom, “Remember when Daddy used to say, ‘Eat your trees’ — referring to broccoli.” 🙂 And, in college, when I made sure to eat my green peas and such, a friend often commented of how proud my parents would be to know I was on my own yet still eating my greens. 🙂 Years later, I’m still eating those greens……..
Thanks for the Green Love, Daddy! 🙂
Big Green Hugs,
Penny
P.S. Picture above: My parents and I on my wedding day — June 6, 1992.