Dad and The Champ

My dad had a temper. He was a fierce and disturbed man but I loved him.

The only time I ever seen him express any type of humility was when he asked The Champ (Muhammed Ali) for his autograph.

I was 17 when I last saw my father. He told me he loved me. It was the first time I remembered hearing those words from him. I couldn't wait to tell him that I loved him too so I did.

He died suddenly of a heart attack a few days later.

He was 38.

If your parents are still around, give them a hug. Tell them you love 'em.

Would love for you to visit the companion photo to this:
www.flickr.com/photos/shavar/21026983/in/set-480984/

Note: I did not photograph this one.

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Comments

ßrian adams says:

Shavar,
i'm sorry for your loss.
Thanks for sharing this, it's very touching and heartbreaking.

Brian
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Tom-Cate says:

Thanks for sharing this, Shavar. What a moving tribute to your father. I'm sorry you lost your dad way too soon.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Hilary (curioush) says:

oh, Shavar. i'm so sorry for your loss. you brought tears to my eyes.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Patrick Austin says:

Wow. I'm going to visit my parents this weekend and this will be on my mind when I do. Thanks.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

a boot [deleted] says:

that's a very sad story shavar... i'm always thankful for everything i have but i always seem to need reminding every now and then. thanks...
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Barb Henry says:

Painful and poignant.

To lose a father so young leaves a lot of issues never resolved. The fact that your dad did tell you he loved you means a lot.

Sharing your pain and your love with all of us is a great reminder to hug your loved ones now.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

linzdai says:

Hey Shavar, thanks for sharing about your dad. I lost my dad also at an early age to an alcoholism-related injury; he was 39. I was only 14. Not such a great thing to have in common, but it's nice to know we're not alone in this I guess.

Great photo of your dad with The Greatest as well.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

baglady says:

Great story. Appreciate you sharing it and your photo. I'm sorry your time with your dad was so short.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Ryan Brenizer says:

Thank you for sharing, Shavar. I've lost my father, too, and could not agree with the sentiment more.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

salehbaba says:

nice story shavar! thanx for sharing.n' god bless your father!
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

atmaca says:

magnificant moment and sad truth, i am sorry for your loss.
have a nice day.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Khya says:

Gosh, you know how to make a woman cry. Thanks for sharing, I'm sorry for your loss but happy you got to tell him you loved him too.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Tinebetondorp says:

Wow

:-)
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Fodd says:

Two fine-looking men.

Wonderful that you both had the chance to tell each other how you really felt.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Wind LaSS says:

You look alot like your dad...
Eyes and the structure of the face..
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

CaptPiper says:

I had a very similar experience. When I was a teen, I went to hear Dave Wilkerson speak. He talked about being a 95 percenter in terms of Christian committment, which I never forgot, but he also talked about teens' relationships with their parents and the natural difficulties that occur. Everything he said struck home, especially how important it is to tell your parents that you love them, even though you may not always be in agreement. I went home and told my dad I loved him (My mother died when I was eight.) It wasn't long after that we discovered he had a illness that eventually took his life.
I have always been grateful for that moment of clarity.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

***Karen says:

Shavar, you are strong! Thanks for sharing.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Kelly T [deleted] says:

*big smoosh*

Moving story, Shavar.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

-Nat says:

I'm so sorry for your loss Shavar. My parents are getting older now and I try to appreciated all the good times we have together.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

The Rocketeer says:

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm also happy you had that experience with your father. It was good that you got to confirm your love for one another.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

dextr says:

thanks for sharing your memories. it gives so much more to the experience.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

jcowboy says:

Thanks for sharing about your father and this photo and the linked photo. I know how it is to lose a father.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

birdcage says:

Thanks for sharing this, Shavar.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Susan B. [deleted] says:

Deeply touching photo and memories.
From one who has experienced a painful loss of a parent. your words were profound.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Dragonfly says:

Wonderful words
Mum had an operation yesterday and I wrote a poem for her that I posted on flickr. I never realized how special she is until reality splapped me in the face and made me realize that I may lose her.
Fortunately, the operation went smoothly and she's doing ok :)

thank you for sharing Shavar and I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
Perhaps you'll meet again in heaven ^_^
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

::enrapture:: says:

Shavar your beautiful words about your dad deeply touched my heart and made me emotional.
My father has trouble with the L-word as well..he's never used it with me and I'm 34 now. Nevertheless, I've learned to accept it over the years and realized that he expresses himself differently. I love him dearly and try and show him my gratitude as much as possible. Life is too short.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

:R.e.a.s.o.n: says:

Sorry to hear about your loss...everyone should keep this in mind, everything you said!
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

waynemethod says:

Very touching words. At least you heard your dad telling you he loves you. I never have the chance... my dad shy away from words of love. But, in order not to repeat the regreat, I tell my son, EVERY SINGLE DAY, that I love him. And I really do.
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Clow says:

Wonderful story.....I'm sorry you lost your Father...but I'm glad you had that last moment with him that clarified things....
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

Imapix says:

Great story! I am out of words..............that is why I take pictures!
Posted 52 months ago. ( permalink )

jonrawlinson says:

wonderful photo

and sad story

ill hug my parents!
Posted 51 months ago. ( permalink )

Bracani....Antonio says:

Great story, I will share it with my family. Thank you.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Soulfull says:

O wow! Shavar, I'm sorry to hear about your dad....
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

<danielle> says:

awesome images- including the companion one.
and love your sentiment....thank you for sharing something so personal and so true.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

JohnSeb says:

Found searching for a hug.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

kabardey says:

woww great.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

2Serenity says:

You are blessed. I am convinced your father is guiding you spirituality in your every day blessings. He loves you!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

ras cop says:

my dad looks like the goat, plus he is on my all time heroes list.

our family has a saying, it's what we say when we email, call, fellowship et al,

"i love & appreciate you"

i am pleased you got your moment with your dad, no matter how fleeting it may have been.

peace
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

randyman says:

Shavar, I'm sorry about your father. I was 26 when my father passed away from cancer, my brother was 16. He still lives in me as I'm sure your father lives in you. I wrote a tribute to my father last year. If you would like to read it go to andrewsalazardelao.blogspot.com Best of luck in all you do. Randy
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

hecatesam says:

Great story.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

ras cop says:

6 mos after i commented on this pic of your dad & the goat, i lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. at that moment i knew how you felt & i am still spinning from losing my hero. this was our last pic together because i refused to take one with him on his deathbed...

www.flickr.com/photos/euphonic_rage/246775263 1/in/set-721...

i never knew how much i needed him until he was gone. i miss our arguments, our talks about women & sports, our hugs & kisses, his voice...

peace & blessings
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

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Dad and The Champ

Comments

ßrian adams says:

Tom-Cate says:

Hilary (curioush) says:

Patrick Austin says:

a boot [deleted] says:

Barb Henry says:

linzdai says:

baglady says:

Ryan Brenizer says:

salehbaba says:

atmaca says:

Khya says:

Tinebetondorp says:

Fodd says:

Wind LaSS says:

CaptPiper says:

***Karen says:

Kelly T [deleted] says:

-Nat says:

The Rocketeer says:

dextr says:

jcowboy says:

birdcage says:

Susan B. [deleted] says:

*Dragonfly* says:

::enrapture:: says:

:R.e.a.s.o.n: says:

waynemethod says:

Jeff Clow says:

Imapix says:

jonrawlinson says:

Bracani....Antonio says:

Soulfull says:

<danielle> says:

JohnSeb says:

kabardey says:

2Serenity says:

ras cop says:

randyman says:

hecatesam says:

ras cop says:

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