My dad was a thief. He stole words from literature to use as weapons. I remember dodging and weaving to avoid his barbs, although some still found their mark.
Having ducked Oscar Wilde's "Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing", I later flung it at my own children. Words became shields to strengthen character, fight injustice.
On the day he passed away, I excused myself with, "we need never be ashamed of our tears", Charles Dickens. Dad countered with "Herman Melville, Moby Dick."
I had to read the entire novel to find that farewell quote.
Having ducked Oscar Wilde's "Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing", I later flung it at my own children. Words became shields to strengthen character, fight injustice.
On the day he passed away, I excused myself with, "we need never be ashamed of our tears", Charles Dickens. Dad countered with "Herman Melville, Moby Dick."
I had to read the entire novel to find that farewell quote.
