Prose from a Grandson to a Senior Fellow

By Derek McFadden

In 1982, Derek McFadden, born prematurely at just a bit over four pounds, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Initially, shock and grief paralyzed his family; and then eventually, acceptance came. Derek survived those first precarious months.

There to guide him through these uncertain times were many family members. But in particular, his grandmother, Shirley, and grandfather, Richard "Papa Dick" Kenbok, were the cornerstones of love and nurturing. Always there to lift him up. To hold him. To stand at his side.

Through the years, Papa Dick and Derek became souls united, oftentimes fused in hard love as Papa refused to let Derek become a victim of his affliction. "Stand on up and do it," were Papa's continued words of encouragement, never allowing him to use his CP as a crutch.

Derek flourished. Attending public school and graduating. Writing his first novel: On Ashlyn's Bridge. Finding employment at a national radio network as well as producing his own online radio program. And most importantly, growing into a sensitive, loving young man with an enormous heart.

In 1997, Papa Dick was diagnosed with lung cancer. With the love of his family and the guidance of God, he survived. But in 2002, the cancer has returned, now homesteading his liver.

In tribute to Papa Dick, and to mirror the love and encouragement that has been his gift to our family, Derek dedicates this book of prose. "Get well Papa. We love you."

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 25, 2003
• ISBN: 9781462075690

Derek McFadden

Derek McFadden is the author of the previously-published On Ashlyn's Bridge. He lives in Redmond, Washington.

Book preview

Prose From A Çrandson To A

Senior Fellow

Derek McFadden

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

Prose From A Grandson To A Senior Fellow

All Rights Reserved © 2003 by Derek McFadden

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

iUniverse, Inc.

For information address:

iUniverse, Inc.

2021 Pine Lake Road, Suite 100

Lincoln, NE 68512 www.iuniverse.com

ISBN: 0-595-27367-X

ISBN: 978-1-4620-7569-0 (ebook)

Printed in the United States of America

For Papa Dick

You always encouraged me in my writing.

This volume, though perhaps inadequate payment, is my way of saying thanks.

Contents

For Papa Dick

Author’s Note

What Follows Here

Normal

Dreaming

ARationale

Someone Else For A Day

Family

The Ball Field

A Teacher’s Worth

Self-esteem

A Drunk Driver’s Epiphany

Scar

Christmas

Papa

A Different Version

What I Have Taught Myself In My Naiveté

Thanksgiving

When My Father Became A Father

Christmas Morning

I Wonder What It Will Be Like

Katie

If Only

A Friend In Need

Infinite Wisdom

The Cowboy

The Pitcher

My Eyes

A New Car

Dust

The First Snowfall

Freedom

Unspoken privacy

Cancer

The Veneer

Which God Does No Wrong?

The Future

The Desk

Carnival Love

The Band

My Generation

Surgery

Don’t Lose Hope

Game Show Host

Actor

Breakdown

The Boat Across The Lake

Bridging The Gap

The Islands

My Hands

The Writer And His Critics Converse

Impact

A Coffee Bean Speaks His Mind

Re-runs

Two A.M.

Hot Dogs

The Odds

Watching

A Sailboat

In The Waiting Room

A Praying Man’s Realization

Premature

An Old Picture

My Dog Blackberry

The Trip

The Jigsaw Puzzle And The Turn

Below High-Rises

Being Brothers

Preparing For Adulthood

The Protagonist or The Eulogy

Broken Heart

A Father Comprehends

The Chef In Him or

If You Want