Friday, August 19, 2011

The Dedication . . .

The Great Circumnavigation Adventure! 
My Great Circumnavigation Adventure was dedicated to my father - who passed away the night before our launch @ 11:30PM. A strong, independent outdoorsman with a zest for life that he shared with all who knew him. His spirit was there with each paddle and at times I could hear him quoting lines from *The Song of Hiawatha* - one of his favorites. 
In loving memory of my father 
Lowell Wheeler Wilds
November 18, 1932 - August 14, 2011
 The Song of Hiawatha  by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water.
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. His love for life, his strong work ethic and his faith will live on through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are all stronger for having had him as our role model. Love you Dad! 
 

2 comments:

Elaine said...

Sorry to hear about your father, Candace.

Candis Collick said...

Elaine - Thank you so much for your kind words. They are truly appreciated.