6/15/08

A tribute to my father

I can't say that my father and I always had an easy relationship. Later in his life, things got difficult between us. But when I was a child, there was no better father I could have had. Edward Chavez was an adventurer, an artist, a home-builder, a folk singer, and a bit of a cowboy. He also played a mean flamenco guitar. He made my world beautiful, and my life full of excitement, travel and all the wonders of the world. I was not raised as a princess of a girl (although I had my princess moments). Our life was, for the most part, more rough-and-tumble. We rode horseback together and drove rough terrain in an open jeep, made mud pies and slept under the stars. We drove through Spain and France in an old British Land Rover, visited the Al Hambra and the Louvre. We drove cattle together on the ranch, caught snakes, stalked coyotes. Once, he brought me home a wild tarantula in a box full of nails. We kept it for a while and then set it free. Nothing was out of the ordinary in our world, and anything was possible. I have a lot to be thankful for, and although we had some difficult times near the end of his life, the best of him is always with me.

My father, reading to me in our hammock in Woodstock.

Skiing in the alps.

Edward Arcenio Chavez as a young WPA artist.

His abstract work.

An early painting of ranching life.

His posthumous portrait of Billy the Kid.

15 comments:

Vivian M said...

What a lovely tribute. Please with M a very happy Father's Day from all of us here! Huge hugs from Kerri!

kitchu said...

what magical memories Maia :O)
he was a very handsome man...

Laurie said...

"Nothing was out of the ordinary in our world, and anything was possible."

I think that might be the best summary of what childhood should be I've ever read. What a lovely remembrance.

Missy said...

What a beautiful tribute to your father!

kerri said...

Beautiful tribute..

Carrie said...

Happy fathers day to your hubby- and thanks for all the wonderful pictures!

Naenay1012 said...

How lovely it was to read about your dad.

Yoli said...

He had movie star looks. Very handsome man. He was fascinating and grossly talented. Beautiful tribute to your Dad. His legacy lives on in you.

Tell Mike that we wish him a Happy Father's Day.

Anonymous said...

Love to read and see your blog! What a great life you're having! It gave me gooseflesh to see your dad's picture next to Flynn Qiu Qiu's. Talk about fate bringing her into the right family. She matches!!!
A big happy father's day to Mike all the way from Canada!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

What a nice tribute to your dad... I miss my dad... I still can't believe that it has been 30 years he has been gone... take care

rubyiscoming said...

Beautiful post!

Beeb said...

You have his eyes.
Sad about the difficult relationship later, but these memories are such a gift. Amazing life you've had.

Anonymous said...

That was just lovely...thank you for sharing a bit of your dad with us.

Tish said...

what an amazing childhood you lived!

Anonymous said...

fond memories of my times at John Joy road home!