Son of Nils

All of life was simple to my father. You worked hard. You told the truth. You stayed faithful to your mate, family and business. You rested at times, and played and picnicked when appropriate, but never to excess. When bad things happened, you endured and persevered. No miraculous promises of being saved by the bell, Angels or rich uncles were on the horizon. But in between all this common sense stoicism and simple view of life, a philosophy emerged with more nuances than perhaps even he envisioned. It was a "do the right thing and right things will prevail" life-view over all, but with laughter, surprises, friendships and love found along the way. At least that's how it seemed to me. And since his first name was Nils, I was, literally, the son of....