sketchbook stories: the fathers

...just a dream and the wind to carry me

This sketchbook story is the first in a summer trilogy of illustrations from my grandfather’s sketchbook.

My father: not your traditional dad. He dived with Jacques Cousteau, worked for Scripps and the Smithsonian, explored Greenland, published three books, travelled to nearly 50 countries.

He was an environmentalist before “eco” and “green” were trending. Obituaries fascinated him. He owned dozens of Saabs, collected antiques and old houses and books and wives. He made a mean oyster bisque for Christmas. He adored his 22-year-old cat, Gilbert.

He loved sailing and islands, lighthouses and the sea.

Last year was our last Father’s Day together; five days later, he took his final sail. The ocean was always his favorite escape. 

My grandfather illustrated and published a number of books including poetry, but this hand-written poem, a touching message from father to son, was never published. He drew the sketch shortly after my father’s birth.

---

I did not inherit my grandfather’s artistic skills, but we do share a love for writing poetry. Here’s one of my recent poems, “lunaSea,” recently featured on Maine Public Radio.