When born in a static culture, one can largely follow in one’s parent’s footsteps. In such a world, barring invasion or changes to one’s environment, things are largely unchanged from generation to generation. One has seen one’s father and mother pass through each stage of life before you. From birth to death, one is guided all the way.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
My father was forty-one years old when I was born. As a young man, he achieved his dream of being a lawyer. However, he was an idealist, and couldn’t tolerate the compromises he had to make, particularly in regards to truth, in order to function within the American legal system. After the 2nd World War, his father invited him to join him in the family business, and that was intolerable in other ways. He soon quit, and worked for the rest of his life honorably, doing a job he did not like, to ensure that his family would live well and safely. He practiced a little law, mostly pro bono, and otherwise provided information on real estate transactions for businesses (a rudimentary version of what Google and Facebook offer customers today)
In between those two periods, he was a spy.
I have moved this essay, excerpts above, to my Substack, where a lot of my essays, particularly those not directly concerned with martial arts will be published.
Keni Lynch
Thanks for sharing this touching story about your dad. As I started reading your article, I looked up the status of the Chinese space debris that was said to land somewhere near or on New Zealand where I live. As luck would have it, the debris landed harmlessly in the ocean near the Maldives. Still, the irresponsibility had me shaking with anger. It’s nice to be reminded that there were, once upon a time, unsung heroes who lived with principles and who deserve the honor conferred upon them. You’ve made us realize one of them was your dad. You write well and, although I disagree with you sometimes, I am very grateful for your gift. We are all in debt to your father for his integrity and love of freedom.