Friday, November 2, 2012

Percy Faith


The compass of a young man's life is often found in the silent gestures given by a father. The lifting of the chin, crinkles at the corner of the mouth, a hand placed firmly upon the shoulder letting the young man know his course in life is true. To loose a father at this critical moment is to be cast adrift in conversations never had. This was my brother upon loosing his father at the age of 15.


My mother, awash in endings that would never happen, went about her days without awareness.  She didn't notice her son struggling to find his way. She barely paid attention when John asked her to drop him off at the airport. "Stay with your school group, and send me a postcard." John was on his way to Europe.


Asked by the French couple sitting next to him on the plane was he was traveling alone, my brother revealed he had lied to his mother about spending the summer in London with his school's choir group. He just needed distance from her grief to sort through his own thoughts. The couple offered a suggestion.
 

John spent the first month of the summer aboard the couple's boat sailing the turquoise waters off the coast of southern France. Brown as a butternut, John was deposited at the end of the month in Nice. With only a change of clothes in his backpack and money nearly gone, John looked for a way to earn fare home. The sound of music offered him a way.


John followed his opportunity into an establishment he was too young to enter and waited for the band playing to take a break. "Can I sit in on one song, I play the piano?" John let his fingers express all that he had wanted to say to his Dad. He didn't want to follow his father's path into the military, he wanted to pursue music. John's playing was such a success with the patrons of the bar, the band agreed to hire him for a season's work.


My brother knows our father would have greatly disapproved of his decision to pursue music as a career and yet it was the path chosen the summer spent abroad. It was the summer of every young man who recognizes the strength of character given to them by a father is meant to help them stand on their own, trusting in the faith of a father's love to know their course is true.

This little bird is Percy Faith, the choir director of Creative Breathing.

22 comments:

Tammy's in Love said...

Ok, pick me up off the floor! That is an incredible story! Thank you for sharing...

kimber said...

I have a young man in my life who so NEEDS to read this touching tale! My whole family needs to read this...choosing one's path...thank you so much!!

ImagiMeri said...

Very remarkable pretty lady. Of course someone as wondrous as you could only have remarkable siblings.

I would be very proud of him, too.

Love ya'
Meri

Shirley Hatfield said...

You are an amazing story teller...I can only hope to tell the stories of my life and family as well as you do! It's important to me that my children understand their forebears and learn from their experiences...and hopefully understand me and how much I love them. Well done, sweet friend.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love seeing your creations while reading this story, Elizabeth! Your brother is something else. I can't imagine a someone of his age at the time going off so fearlessly. I admire that he pursued his passion.

Musings from Kim K. said...

What an incredible journey. A beautiful and touching story. Thank you for sharing your family with all of us, Elizabeth.

sandy said...

Amazing story and the way you told it is very touching.
I also enjoyed the cute Christmas!
Have a great weekend!
sandy

Janet's Creations said...

Going on a boat with a strange couple at 16?!!! He is so lucky they were good people. Maybe I watch too much t.v. but that really scares me. I am glad that everything worked out.
No, your brother does not belong in the military. Ha ha. Bless his heart -- I'll bet he has stories to tell, too.

Diane Mars said...

I was thinking the same thing as Janet going on a boat with strangers at 16 he's lucky to have come home! Quite an adventure for such a young man. I guess his determination kept him from harms way. Hugs, Diane

Susan Freeman said...

Your great artistic talent lies not just in your hands, but is etched upon your heart.

Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Unknown said...

What an amazing story!! And your Percy Faith....no words!

chris

Unknown said...

Elizabeth,
Your words are so heart felt and loving, I can't imagine a boy of 15 taking on that trip! You have an amazing brother!
It is so obvious you love him dearly!

Debby said...

Such a great story. Your brother was so brave to go abroad on his own. Something he needed to do. Love your choir director.

Ina said...

What an adventure!!! How wonderful to find your calling at a young age. Lucky too that the French couple found him and helped him stay safe! ;p

Unknown said...

The year was 1979! It was safe! Thank you for all the lovely comments. I am still amazed that my brother did this! E

vivian said...

wow! what a story. I think I would really like your brother!
have a great weekend!
xoxo

vintage grey said...

What an amazing story!! Percy Faith is adorable! xo Heather

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

What a couragious brother and very talented sister! :)
Erica

My Vintage Mending said...

I was so enthralled by the story I had to go back and see the pictures of your beautiful crafts...well done...smiles...Renee

craftyles said...

Love this story. As a piano teacher and mom of 2 musicians I can relate. So true about choosing your path. Now I must go back to look at your cute crafts-I was too busy reading!

Jenée said...

Your honesty and your total openess is so beautiful. Your stories touch me each time I visit and read what you have shared. You have such a gift. Thank you for sharing your words, your thoughts and your heart with all of us.

RetroSandie said...

I don't know HOW I missed this beautiful story ... but it's wonderful! E-you are the "Mary Engelbreit" of "STORY TELLING" !!!!!

Hugs,
Sandie