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El Wash's avatar

I wonder of the origins of your current adventure into outofofficeness. Is it an act against the things that holds you back in life and/or is it the pre-emptive action to not end up in a lifetime struggle such as your Dad had? Is the greatest gift your father gave you the case study and the impetus to take control of your life so you don't end the same? Isn't a parent's wish that their children have a better life than they had? I wonder if over the last few months, lying in his bed as you tried to explain the rational of this life decision madness, a part of him was glowing with joy.

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Steve D's avatar

Hi Ryan. I worked for your dad when you lived in the Hunter -building fences. Your dad was a champion bloke. A man who revelled in the bush, who thoroughly enjoyed his explosives when the occasion arose to use them - the excitement of the need to use them was palpable. He was as so proud of you two boys. It's amazing to read his story through you. The reality of his passing makes me very sad. They don't make too many decent guys like him anymore.

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Ryan Butta's avatar

Steve Day? Great to hear from you. Of course I remember you. A gun cricketer. Thanks for sharing your memories of dad, that means a lot. Yes, he did indeed love his explosives! I had a good laugh. Thanks mate.

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Sarah's avatar

What a concluding sentence: the conflict of traditional obligation versus modern preference for healthy family relationships. Excellent piece, thanks for letting me read.

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Ryan Butta's avatar

Thanks for reading Sarah.

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Sarah Barrett's avatar

Beautiful Ryan. And I love this photo of your Dad. xx

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A.Lo's avatar

Great piece of writing Ryan! My condolences to you and your family.

I’ve had similar reflection coming myself from an immigrant family (Portuguese dad and German mum settling in France), deciding 10y ago to break the circle of immigrant mentality in my family by becoming a modern age immigrant myself in Australia... finding my roots in this country but in the end realising at is very difficult to escape this ingrained mentality.

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Warren Levy's avatar

Great note Ryan....honest, fair and true.

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Liz Day's avatar

Beautifully written. So sorry for the loss of your dad.

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Stephaney's avatar

A beautiful piece of writing Ryan, sincere condolences on the loss of your father who sounds like a wonderful caring provider for his family. Life is complicated!

We each have our own path.

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Nikhil Rajagopalan's avatar

My sincerest condolences to Ryan and his family in this difficult time.

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Sowts's avatar

A truly beautiful piece mate, and to a word, exactly how I remember your dad.

As always your pieces divulge more about the boy I grew up alongside that I had absolutely no idea of through my own focus on what I considered important / life, and perhaps ignorance of everything else outside of that focus.

From all of the Sowter family to all of your family, take care, reminisce, and look after each other.

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Paul Doran's avatar

Beautiful mate, affectionate and honest.

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