The Visit

I hadn't seen my father in quite a few years. You know the story, we're a busy society. Life is hectic and we tend to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and somehow, life seems to slip by. For me, time seems to go by much faster as I get older. Perhaps it's not just me. Maybe that's just the way life is meant to be.

Dad was a special kind of man. Firm in his beliefs about life, family and running his own business. He never mixed politics and religion in his world of radio and television repair. He mentioned to me on more than one occasion that these were two topics that a self-employed businessman should always avoid.

His visit was a surprise to me. Trying my best to bring my dad up to speed, as they say, about today's technology was somewhat difficult and after our visit, I realized that I hadn't even scratched the surface. Dad retired from his career in 1989. Twenty plus years is a long time for electronics technology to advance.

During our visit, I showed him photos on my BlackBerry of Eric, Adam and Kristin. "What's a blackberry?" he asked. His facial expression spoke volumes about his disbelief that photos could be taken and displayed on a phone. He was totally amazed at today's technology of texting, iPods and navigation systems. What caught his interest more however, was the fact that his grandchildren had grown into such wonderful adults.

Dad spoke about the radio and television business that he started in the late thirties and the fact that television was in its infancy. He described --as he sat and looked at my fifty-inch plasma t.v.-- what television first looked like and how simple but complex the idea of putting motion and sound into a box really was back then. Even though at first, he appeared amazed at the huge screen on my television, there was also a hint of sadness in his eyes. I felt that it may have been simply that he was overwhelmed with how advanced the electronics field has become.

My father spent the majority of his life performing his magic inside of televisions. From the time the television became a commonality in most people's homes, until May of '89, when it was decided that he would retire, his life revolved around repairs. He kept notes on all of his customer's radios and televisions, and often his writings were in French.  He loved his work and his customers loved him. He was a man of great respect and he earned that respect everyday.

Like many things in life, the visit ended too soon. Just before leaving though, dad stopped in to meet Patti and acknowledge his acceptance to her as my new partner in life. As he sat at her table, in his own way he simply let her know that everything was fine.

Dad, thanks for taking the time to stop and see us. We all knew that you were tired and needed to retire from your long and sometimes never ending days in the shop and on the road making house calls. Your timing --although a struggle for us-- seems now to have made sense. As advanced as electronics technology is today, it has become a disposable industry. The days of "repairmen" have come to pass. Life is too busy and people are too impatient. Rest well, and know that you touched many people's lives.

Maurice L. Xavier  06/30/13 - 05/16/89  Reposer en Paix



~Safe Riding~

-The Chief