Mpby

Eileen had heard her father speak of his mother’s death before,
but never had she heard him speak with such emotion. Alphy was
crying freely now, the tears streaming down his face. Eileen got up
from her chair and stood by his side. Never before had she seen her
father cry. Eileen could see that his heart was breaking, and tried to
comfort her father by placing her hand on his shoulder. Alphy was
sobbing. Eileen gave him a hug. By now, she was also crying. Her
father seemed so fragile and vulnerable. There were no words to take
away the pain, but there was an understanding that passed between
the two.

Eileen understood that her father’s pain was very deep. Alphy
understood that it was okay to cry. He told Eileen that when his
mother died, he was told that he shouldn’t cry, but that he needed to
be strong for his younger brothers and sister. Alphy again expressed
how he had wanted to cry, but he couldn’t until the nighttime came.
Then he had cried himself to sleep, and when he had awakened, his
pillow was soaking wet.... that was so long ago (over seventy years
now) but he would never forget.

Eileen passed her father a tissue. He dried his eyes. She looked
into Alphy’s face with renewed admiration. He had always seemed so
strong and confident, never had she seen him so vulnerable, never
had her love for him been so strong as now.

Eileen knew she couldn’t take away her father’s pain, but she
was grateful to have had the opportunity to listen. It was a moment
of truth. One thing was certain - the heart does not forget.

* Mary was Wilfred and Mary Anne Corrigan’s daughter. She had
married Gerard Arsenault of Palmer Road.

148