In 1977, my Dad took me to see some film called Star Wars and after that experience a fanboy was born. I started a scrap book (still have it somewhere in storage) of Star Wars newspaper and magazine articles, as well as the "Who's Who"s from the black and white British Star Wars comics and a strange diagram of the Death Star trench, and horded bubblegum cards and a small selection of action figures; my collecting mania had begun.More importantly, I wrote voraciously. Since primary school I'd filled spare exercise books with rambling Earth-centric science-fiction and action stories, but now they took on epic, space opera qualities, filled with alien planets and strange creatures, inspired by George Lucas and his masterpiece. Somehow I knew, albeit subconsciously, that this was a film unlike any other. A phenomenon. And the world would never be the same again.
Now, 30 years later, as our planet gears up to mark the anniversary of the opening of Star Wars on May 25, my world is going to change again - I'm getting married tomorrow! But my dad won't be there this time. He died on October 28, 2005, barely three months after I had come out of hospital, after my aneurism. He had been feeling run down because of his leukaemia medication, but had expected to be back out in a week and told me not to come in and see him in case I was vulnerable to infection. I didn't see him again until I took the call from the hospital to say we needed to come in. Dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep.
I miss him every day. He was the soft spoken, calm centre in my life; my hero and role model. Without him I wouldn't be the man I am today and I wish, more than anything, he could be here to see Rachel and I tie the knot. He loved Rachel and I hope he would be proud of how his young Padawan turned out.
May The Force Be With You, Dad.
Congratulations Tim!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your dad is well aware of tomorrow. Best wishes to you and your bride!
Jeff