My father observed with pain the alteration perceptible in my disposition and habits, and endeavoured to reason with me on the folly of giving way to immoderate grief. “Do you think, Victor,” said he, “that I do not suffer also? No one could love a child more than I loved your brother;” (tears came into his eyes as he spoke); “but is it not a duty to the survivors, that we should refrain from augmenting their unhappiness by an appearance of immoderate grief? It is also a duty owed to yourself; for excessive sorrow prevents improvement or enjoyment, or even the discharge of daily usefulness, without which no man is fit for society. pg 65

Revision:

The pain of loss filled me once again. My youngest son William had left us. I had hoped that another incident such as this would not take place for years to come. I hoped that perhaps I would not see the day where one of my sons would be taken away from me. How could it be, I still reflected, that it could be so soon. My feet still remained attached to the earth, yet my son is dead. He had so much more to do. He was not able in the short time he had to contribute to society like he may have had he been able to reach his full potential. Had he only been able to complete his duty before passing. To his family, to his people. But no. It was not meant to be. And now the world is left without another great man. My poor son. I tried my best to refrain from falling prey to my emotions of sadness and depression. But then I laid my eyes upon Victor. I saw him in such a state of deepened grief. The pain must be even greater to him. To have his only brother griped by death, must have been to much for him to bare. But hings could not stay like this. He could not remain this weakened man. I tried my best to console him.

“Victor, it is not only you that feels this pain at his passing. As his father, it tears me apart that my son, your brother, is gone. We loved William more then anyone ever could.” It is hear where tears started to fall. I could not contain my feelings any longer. I hoped Victor would understand. He would need to be stronger then his father. “We cannot bring the survivors down. We cannot waste time being depressed. It is our duty, you as his brother and I as his father, to continue on. If we were to stay like this we would only drag down society. We cannot help the public in the state we are now. You can’t stay like this forever. William wouldn’t have wanted that. I don’t want that. Your fellow countrymen need you so i want you to stay strong, for your brother and everyone’s else’s sake. As a man and a brother that is your duty.”

I left him, tears still in my eyes in hopes that he would understand. That he would understand why he must carry on, even with the pain he still felt. It’s a man’s job. His duty.

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