don kerr

7 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Imagination is my brother

Imagination is my brother

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"I'm not writing non-fiction. I don't feel anything about me as a kid was unique. Except that I had more interest in being alone and using my imagination."
John Irving
Do you have a brother?

There is a special bond with brothers. It is a spiritual joining that only recently became evident to me. 

It can be a wondrous thing. One moment wailing on each other like hyenas devouring a carcass. The next, showing kindness of profound depth. 

I did not have a brother.

I had an older sister.

She was special to me. But she wasn't a brother. She was four years older and not surprisingly mostly interested in 'girl' stuff and less interested in her snot-nosed brother bumbling along behind trying to keep up with her games and friends. 

I spent then more time in solitude. I found many imaginary friends. Puppies were a speciality as were plastic warriors who would stand bravely steadfast as my Lionel train came roaring down the track to wipe them out. 

I didn't have much of a father either. He was a prototypical self-made man born of the Great Depression with a strick belief in and adherence to two notions: 

1. Spare the rod and spoil the child. 

2. Children are to be seen and not heard.

Today, I spent the morning at the beach. 

I watched my two boys play.

They played Man Hunt - a hybrid of hide & seek and tag. They built sand castles and dug pits. They chased seagulls. They challenged each other to races to the drop off where the water turns frigid.

They had the occasional tussle.

Then they hugged.

I spare the rod.

I spoil my children.

I love to see them and hear them.

I wish my story were more unique.

It is not.

Our lives are non-fiction works with the occasional dip into fantastic fiction. 

When I write I try to explore the space between those two solitudes.

My imagination is my brother.

Maybe that's why I write.



"
#imagination #Lionel #brother #child #John Irving
Comments

don kerr

7 years ago #28

#29
thank you Phil Friedman

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #27

#28
Shared at the Man Up Project, Don Kerr.

don kerr

7 years ago #26

Matt Sweetwood Would love it if you'd share this on Man Up Project. I have maxed out on shares to hives! Thanks.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #25

Don Kerr Wonderfully written Don. These lines are profound: "Our lives are non-fiction works with the occasional dip into fantastic fiction. When I write I try to explore the space between those two solitudes."

don kerr

7 years ago #24

#22
Thanks Jim Murray has scared me off adding any more to this note and I can't quite get the hang (yet) of adulterated blarney!

don kerr

7 years ago #23

#23
I will endeavour to improve my skill with 'adulterated' blarney Phil Friedman

don kerr

7 years ago #22

#21
I thought you were going somewhere entirely different with that Kevin Pashuk!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #21

#18
There you go again, Don Kerr, with the unadulterated blarney. This is simply a terrific post. Case closed. Cheers!

Jim Murray

7 years ago #20

Nice piece Don Kerr...added it to the Beezers Hive

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #19

Don Kerr... you are certainly waxing the elephant these days (waxing eloquent for those who don't get my sense of humour). Like you, I grew up with and older sister, and no brother. You describe the dynamic well. Like you, my imagination was a friend. It has certainly been a great muse for you.

don kerr

7 years ago #18

#13
A truly lovely commentary Sarah Elkins thanks for sharing it with me.

don kerr

7 years ago #17

#17
I really appreciate this Franci Eugenia Hoffman and am so pleased you found a family of friends.

don kerr

7 years ago #16

#16
Thank you very much my friend Phil Friedman This means a great deal coming from someone I admire.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #15

This is a piece brimming with THIS PIECE by Don Kerr brims with distilled insight. And in unusual fashion looks at both sides of one of Life's coins. You shoul take.a moment to read it Cheers!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #14

This is a piece brimming with distilled insight. And in unusual fashion looks at both sides of one of Life's coins. Thanks, Don Kerr. Cheers!

Sarah Elkins

7 years ago #13

Imagination is a great companion! But I'm really grateful for my sibs.

Sarah Elkins

7 years ago #12

I love this one, Don Kerr. My siblings and I are very close, and that's one major reason we had more than one child. When our oldest was 1, we decided 1 kid was enough. He was so easy! But then, right before he turned 2, my sister came to visit. Watching her play with him, adore him, snuggle him and give him wet, sloppy kisses on his little tummy, I realized we had to have another. I can't imagine my life without my sibs, and I wanted to give our boy a chance to have that kind of relationship. Now, even with the bickering, I watch our boys explore the world together and my heart nearly bursts. Thank you for writing this piece; I'm glad you had imagination to keep you company until you had your boys. (And I know it's not going anywhere.)

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #11

Another great shot ! I love it ! Don Kerr you are fortunate to have those great kids !

Graham🐝 Edwards

7 years ago #10

Thanks for sharing Don Kerr... you made me smile one of those "reflective knowing" smiles. Appreciate it !

don kerr

7 years ago #9

#2
Much appreciated Dean Owen

don kerr

7 years ago #8

#3
Thanks Lisa Gallagher

don kerr

7 years ago #7

#5
Thanks Sara Jacobovici

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #6

Our lives are non-fiction works with the occasional dip into fantastic fiction. When I write I try to explore the space between those two solitudes. My imagination is my brother. Maybe that's why I write. - Don Kerr

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #5

Our lives are non-fiction works with the occasional dip into fantastic fiction. When I write I try to explore the space between those two solitudes. My imagination is my brother. Maybe that's why I write. - Don Don Kerr

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #4

Beautifully written @Don Kerr, beautifully told. I echo @Dean Owen's comment, "Your story is unique. Nothing more beautiful than two brothers playing on a beach and a loving father doting them.".

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #3

Beautifully written Don Kerr's comment, "Your story is unique. Nothing more beautiful than two brothers playing on a beach and a loving father doting them.".

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #2

Thanks for sharing a reality (a real) snapshot of your life Don Kerr. We were also raised during a time when children were to be seen and not heard. I think my parents were only concerned about that rule when we went to visit 'certain' people. I bet my brother can relate to you. He grew up with 4 sisters, and lost our dad when he was 9 years old. I can't imagine what it was like for him to be surrounded by 4 females! Mom did a great job of keeping him active in baseball until he graduated and she made us go with her to watch him, she would remind us, he didn't have a father. I think it's great that your boys use their imaginations, you enjoy listening and just being with them. What a precious picture!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #1

Your story is unique. Nothing more beautiful than two brothers playing on a beach and a loving father doting them.

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