Here it is again. Another anniversary of the passing of my great father, now at year 17.
That’s a pretty long time, but to me it doesn’t feel like 17 years. I am amazed at how fresh his passing still feels.
I remember all of the details of that day. A day that seemed impossible just moments beforehand.
That strange feeling radiating around in my chest, best described as an amplified sensation of shock and heartache. I get this sensation less as time marches on, but I’m feeling it right now.
I have matured since that day, and naturally I have adjusted as good as can be expected to this huge loss. None of us have a choice in this. We must find ways to regain happiness without those special family members, or great friends, or even great pets.
Cutting is the key and it’s a good thing. Do it as fast as possible. The sooner you can the better. However, it took me about 10 years.
Cutting doesn’t mean a complete emotional cut. It’s about cutting off the pain from loss, and moving on to accepting your new world.
Howard would say “Life is for the living.”
I will face this day, head on, again, and practice his wise advice.
What about some laughs? Perhaps “Mountain Wedding” is on tap today.
RIP Maggie Peterson, Betty Lynn, and ETB -with love.
David
It truly seems like yesterday we were enjoying so many times together. Time does March on. I have lost two sisters and my older brother in the last two years. It is such a difficult thing to deal with but it seems we humans are made to psychologically move forward. Peace my friend.
David B
Dear David,
Firstly, I must apologize to all for not responding to everyone, sooner. I literally just got multiple notifications reminding me of all of these posts re my post from May 21/date of my dads passing. I literally dropped the ball. I care about everyone who takes the time out to create these amazing posts, and I promise to be more on top of the chats from here on.
Secondly, David, I miss you and love you. I am a huge fan of yours, as was my father. I am so sad reading what you have been going through. I can’t even begin to imagine what this has been like. Thanks for letting me know. I truly miss those great days you are referring to. We were all close and it was a blast. It is sad, frankly, that it all came to such an abrupt end. As my amazing father would say “it is ego that gets in the way” (of creativity).
You know you can call me anytime, but I will call you next week so we can get caught up.
Until then, big hugs and lots of love,
David M.
David, I very much appreciate these posts every year. I smile (a lot) remembering your Dad. I love (not past tense) him so much. Hope you feel our salutes to him from afar.
Hi Kelly,
Please read my reply to David Browning, and thanks in advance for your understanding.
I can’t tell you how much your posts mean to me. Each one brings me right back to my dad, and that is a wonderful thing!
Hugs!
David M.
David,
Your dad is not gone. Can’t be. I see him just about every week somewhere on TV! Whether it be with Andy, or Bob Newhart, or The Dick Van Dyke Show, or Alfred Hitchcock, or Twilight Zone, or even Trapper John, MD! You can’t turn on the TV without seeing him or his name somewhere… if not acting, then him directing my favorite episodes of Hogan’s Heroes (you can always tell when he was directing because he used unique camera angles – like from above and in back of Schultz driving a truck). And TiVo told me to watch the very first episode of Get Smart because Howard directed it. Each week, TiVo tells me to watch shows like Love Boat because Howard directed some. How versatile.
How many times have we called someone on the phone and said “It’s me, it’s me, it’s Earnest T.!” How could he have possibly made such an impression on all of us with that character in only 5 episodes?!?!? Genius. Pure genius.
And voice overs. Ha! You can’t imagine all of them that we’ve heard over the years. Sometimes we recognized him or sometimes we thought “hey, I know that voice from somewhere!” For a long time when Qantas Airlines had a talking koala (“Qantas… I hate Qantas”) that voice always made me stop what I was doing and say “I know that voice… that voice sounds familiar but I just can’t place it.” https://youtu.be/XIU1gKKJL0w . It was quite a while before I figured out it was our old friend Earnest T. And how about on Winnie the Pooh or Flintstones or Jetsons or… you name it! He may have been a pioneer of TV, but his contributions spanned decades all the way to today. Even today’s generation knows him through all his work in cartoons.
So no. He’s not gone. Not by a longshot! Here’s a toast to you, Earnest T! And to you, David, for reminding us how incredibly lucky the world is to be entertained by such a talented man.
-Chuck
Thank you Chuck. Wow, what a beautifully composed post. I really appreciate your insight into this incredible career. Howard would’ve enjoyed reading this. Unlike so many famous actors and filmmakers we knew, Howard really was very down to earth, with both feet planted on the ground.
All my best wishes,
David M.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your pop. It’s nice when just the thought of a person with such great talent for comedy can make one laugh … and just imagining your dad saying “Edweena … darling !!” or “Hey, hey, mush and hush — mouth, mouth, back, back, back, and now hush … NOTHING!” cracks me up every time. Or, his take at dinner (when he was just an ‘artificial son-of-a-lizard’) as he just gets the fork up to his mouth and she bellows, Can’t you eat with your mouth closed? and he replies, “Not until I get something in it, dearest.” … and THEN he puts the empty fork in his mouth as if it had food on it! Pure genius!
Keep making us think of your dad … the one and only sculptor of Ernest T. Bass and “EL-MERR !!”.
Michael thank you for this! I really appreciate it. Your post made me smile as my father’s voice came through loud and clear!
I am just lucky to be his son. I will continue posting thoughts and information about this amazing man for as long as possible.
HM forever.
David M.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your dad, with us.
Besides his “genius-like portrayal” of the one and only Ernest T. Bass … his maniacal jumping up and down was poetry … I loved his part as Dr. Kelp’s father (my poor Da-da) in TNP. The dinner scene where he is the “son of a lizard” obeying his darling Edweena (when he just holds the fork still in front of his open mouth) and the last scene where he leads her around, barking “mush, mush … mouth, mouth … NOTHING!” kills me every time!
Keep sharing about the great comedic artist that was your Dad.
I always loved the character of Ernest T Bass. Howard Morris was such a talented actor. He did so many other projects of voice overs and a Director and coach. He was an amazing person with such charisma.
Hi Eddie,
Thank so much for your very kind note! I really appreciate it.
David M.