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 Today is my father’s birthday. 

He would have turned 96 this year.

Heinz Epperlein, July 24, 1925 – May 14, 1993.

Papa died fairly young, at the age I am now. On the airplane to Germany, I design a five-pawed lion, my father was a Leo. A most kind, sensitive, inventive, unusual, curious and beautiful man. Arriving at my mother’s, I outline a large version onto cloth, and partition it into the exact number of people (24) who will attend the “Kaffee und Kuchen” after the funeral. Then I cut these 24 roundly shaped parts from a different fabric, and hand out crayons asking the guests to draw what my father meant to them. Nobody knew about my lion. When I roll out the big lion on the coffee table, my piece in the center of the lion’s face already, everyone finds the matching shape for their piece like in a puzzle – and Heinz magically manifests. All are moved and awed, including me. Papa in the hearts of friends, colleagues and family: a man of Sonne und Liebe. Sun & love.

On return to America, this community piece becomes a wall hanging in my living room. It is now 29 years of me telling to visitors the story of the five-pawed lion on the wall; its colors have faded… My father’s spirit alive in beauty….



A photo of him here:

Comments

Ken Sisson said…
Such a striking, beautiful concept from your grieving heart, so beautifully executed. I am awed and moved even with only knowing your father through your loving remembrances.
October 23, 2023 at 4:40 PM
Karina said…
He was 67 years old when he died. When i had my heart/nervous system collapse this summer, i thought of him with so much gratitude. I have already outlived him, turning 70 later this year. 30 years of him being gone – he too became my ancestor in a very deep way, his spirit alive in me, through me, however much time i have left....
October 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM
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