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Thursday, November 26, 2009

The Ole Block

This is my dad, James C. Showerman. He was a great man. Though he rarely traveled far from home, he flew out to Australia to support me on set when I was shooting George of the Jungle 2. He loved nature and worked outdoors his entire life. He combined the endearing humor of small town colloquialism with the cool of Steve McQueen and the charm of James Bond. Living in his shadow was at times both daunting and inspiring. We chose wildly different paths for our lives, but he always encouraged me to follow my dreams. My "All Things Possible" mantra originated from the infinite support he and my mom gave me every day of my life.

Me, Dad, and my brother Sam

Dad passed away Monday Nov. 23rd. I'm forever grateful he waited for me to come home to be with him. For those of you who have lost a loved one, I know I don't have to explain - and for those of you lucky enough to have not lost someone close yet, it would be meaningless to try. My love for westerns is an expression of my love for my cowboy father. I owe who I am today in so many ways to this wonderful man. I wish you could have met him - you would have liked him a lot. And he would have liked you too.

Please take a moment to tell your folks how much they mean to you.

Thanks.

All Things Possible,
C

posted by Christopher Showerman @ 11/26/2009 11:46:00 AM  

33 Comments:

  • At 3:49 PM, November 26, 2009 , Anonymous Alex said...

    Dearest Chris,

    I was deeply moved by your lovely, sweet words and thoughts about the passing of your dad; i'm so sorry
    about this very sad news. I loved very much what you wrote and seeing the beautiful photos you shared with us here to remember your dad. He waited for you to come home to be with you and
    was wonderful! I know what you mean, what losing loved ones really means. My thoughts and prayers are with your dad, with you all. Deepest Heartfelt Condolences and big hugs to you and yours!
    Alex

     

  • At 4:25 PM, November 26, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Chris
    You and your family have my deepest sympathy. While I have never walked in your shoes, I have been forced to walk the same path having lost my father 9 years ago. My father was, as your father was to you, a very influencial part of who I am today giving me my sense of values and beliefs. I am thankful on this Thanksgiving Day that I was given the guidance that I was.

    Peace to your entire family

    Tim

     

  • At 4:47 PM, November 26, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    While it's still Thanksgiving Day, may I say thank you for this beautiful tribute to your dad, and for the beautiful friendship over the years with us, your forum family. It does indeed feel like a Thanksgiving table, and not just today, but all year long.

    I wish I might have met your dad. It's clear you two souls loved each other very much. The words are sweet, as Alex says, and from your ATP heart...ATP, which I know we all feel privileged to pass along in thankfulness for the inspiration for our own lives.

    You have a beautiful family. It was fun writing about you and I look forward to writing about that beautiful cowboy movie we're all waiting to see:) We're all keeping our fingers crossed for you!

    I've felt the power of ATP in my own life, since being inspired to create my All Things Beautiful. And when you see others passing along the vibes, as they are, and it's so fun to see)you just know the world will be a better place because of the effort.

    So, if you see me using the word beautiful a lot, it's because of this inspiration and, because it just seems to go along with All Things Possible.

    So, wishing you ATB and ATP dear Chris and forum family...and along with Tim,
    I wish you the peace of this beautiful season...Sue

     

  • At 9:51 AM, November 27, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Chris,
    There are never words for times like these. I know you loved him and I know that he loved you as well and I hope that proves to be comforting during this difficult time. Thank you for the reminder to all of us to not take our loved ones for granted.

    DaveW

     

  • At 1:35 PM, November 27, 2009 , Blogger Ufuk said...

    Chris,

    i am so sorry for your loss. Your dad seems indeed like someone who has really lived and thought how to live to his kids. I am sure we all would liked him and tell him that how great job he has done to raise a person like yourself.

    You are right. They can be gone any time and we may be left with unsaid and undone things.

    i am so glad that you had a chance to see him before he was gone and you both knew what you meant to each other.

    really hard to find what to say Chris... i wish we could help for this to be easier..

    my prayers will be with you and your dad

    Ufuk

     

  • At 8:27 PM, November 27, 2009 , Anonymous showermanfamily22 said...

    Chris....that was a beautiful tribute to a very special man. As a family member, I did have the pleasure of knowing him. I will miss the sparkle in his eyes and that fun loving smile. He will be missed by us all. Take comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain. RIP Jim.

     

  • At 11:50 PM, November 27, 2009 , Anonymous Ute said...

    Dear Chris,
    what sad news. Words are always inadequate at moments like these, so I am sending your and your family very big warm hugs instead.

    Take comfort in the fact that he was in your life for as long as he was. A very good friend of mine lost both her parents at age 18/19 to cancer, this is for me a constant reminder to appreciate every moment I have with my mom. My dad passed away in 1997 after being very ill for some time, so death for him was a blessing and this made it easier for us to let him go. He died at around 2 am in the hospital. Interestingly, just before the phone rang to let us know, I had a dream that a fellow patient, that my dad had shared a room with before being moved to a single room, had died too and his spirit was waiting for my dad's before they both walked to the staircase together to go to whatever is waiting for us after death. What we found out only later is that this man had indeed died several hours before my dad. So, it seems to me that death is not the end, but just the beginning of a new adventure.

    Nothing in the universe is ever truly lost, just transformed and as long as he will be remembered he will not truly be gone.

    Big hugs again,
    Ute

     

  • At 10:52 AM, November 28, 2009 , Anonymous Jaschenka said...

    Dear Chris.
    My thoughts go out to you and your family. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through- I can only begin to imagine your gratefullness, having known such a wonderful and inspiring man as you tell us your dad was, finding myself in the presence of many wonderful and inspiring people this moment and realising each moment together is precious.

    Find strength in the heritage of his strong character. I think I speak for all the forum family if I say we feel we all knew your father at least a little bit- through you!

    'Nothings forgotten..Nothing is ever forgotten..'

    Warm hugs! XXX

     

  • At 5:34 PM, November 28, 2009 , Blogger sam said...

    Chris
    What you wrote about dad was very amazing. You opened his eyes to a whole new world with the different things that youve done and continue to do. He was always so proud of your accomplishments, and looked forward to hearing from you every day. But what you did for him in his last days was the greatest gift a son could give his father. Your a remarkable person, and brother. I love you with all my heart and am so fortunate to have you as my brother.

     

  • At 5:50 PM, November 28, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Sam, I was writing and saw your post pop in, and had to tell you that your words really speak to my heart, and I always hoped I might meet you one day. Your whole family is truly remarkable, and my life has been enriched during these past few years from becoming acquainted. I lost my dad almost six years ago, about the time I got to know Chris. There's a beautiful book written by two hospice nurses, called Final Gifts that meant a lot to us during that time, not only my dad, but our moms. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the forum. We all feel like part of your family:) Sue

     

  • At 7:21 PM, November 29, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Dear Chris,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I feel your pain, I too loss my father recently to lung cancer (even though he stopped smoking over 25 years ago). It was hard to watch such a great man that could do ANYTHING, turn into someone I had to change his diapers.

    I was with my dad in the end and I’m glad you were there for your dad too. We can never get that time back. I am thankful you have a supportive family that loves you. We your forum family does too. Take that to heart in this trying time.

    With loving support, Tanya

     

  • At 9:50 AM, December 01, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I said a prayer for you and your family today. Remember you are not alone.

    Tanya

     

  • At 3:46 PM, December 02, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Tanya and everyone,
    Wow, it seems we've all had similar experiences to navigate through. As Tanya wrote, you're not alone and we all are sending you prayerful blessings and lots of ATP love. Glad the weather was warm when you came home. Tonight, though, with rain, and some snow in the forecast, we might be wondering about white Christmas after all.

    It's time to give thanks for that last bit of turkey soup by a warm, cozy fire...and a time to ask Tim and Dave how the weather is where you are:) And Alex, the weather report for you all over there and here, as well!

    Thinking of all of you tonight, and sending you a virtual cup of soup around the forum table:) And wishing you all good cheer for the
    season. Sue

     

  • At 10:01 AM, December 03, 2009 , Blogger Christopher Showerman said...

    Wow, thank-you all so much for such beautiful thoughts. The outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. As having parents is a universal requisite for life, the thought of losing one is a collective experience and the empathy has been amazing.

    Yes, that's my brother a few entries up. Thanks Sam!

    Also thanks Tanya, Sue, Jaschenka, Ute, Ufuk, Dave, Tim adn Alex. I really appreciate your kind thoughts.

    All Things Possible,
    Chris

     

  • At 3:50 PM, December 03, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Sue
    Yesterday I was running around in my shirt sleeves, today it snowed. Typical midwest weather. I am heading to Cedar Rapids this weekend for the last dog competition of 2009. Hopefully it won't be too nasty.

    Have a great weekend everyone

    Tim

     

  • At 7:49 PM, December 04, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Thanks for the post, Chris. Glad your family is getting such beautiful support through this difficult time. Know you know that we are all, as you said, sharing a collective experience, by virtue of being part of the forum family. I've been the beneficiary numerous times of the love and encouragement of the people who post here. It's indeed, ATB to me. And I'm so glad we all discovered this place "back when."

    Tim, know what you mean. Today was our first snow on the ground! Hope your dog competition goes ATP! And thanks for the weather report. I always feel better knowing you've gotten whatever first:) Then I know what's on the way!
    Look forward to hearing about the dogs!

    December is always the time of advent and waiting for darkness to turn to light...so blessings everyone...just a couple more weeks and the days will begin to lengthen, along with our ATP hopes for a beautiful new year for everyone. Enjoy the quietness and peace of the season...Sue

     

  • At 2:11 PM, December 05, 2009 , Anonymous Alex said...

    Thanks for your nice thoughts, Chris! It was absolutely wonderful to read the lovely sweet thoughts that you brother Sam shared here on the forum and all the forum family's lovely thoughts. Hugs and best wishes to you all!
    Good luck, Tim with the last dog competition of 2009.
    Thanks for your nice words and blessing, Sue. Weather is mild and dry for this time of year for now, here. Be careful in the United States though! Next
    week in Michigan and on many parts of the United States and Canada weather is going to be stormy with snow showers, stormy winds particularly December Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10, very cold air, ice because of a strong winter storm! So stay safe and warm as much as you can!
    In Los Angeles there will often be rain showers next week.
    Take care all!
    Alex

     

  • At 6:52 PM, December 06, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Since we always seem to come back to weather reports, I will mention that even though Sue had some snow, only about an hour's drive from her it's snowless in the extreme southeast corner of the state. It sure is colder though...

     

  • At 2:42 PM, December 07, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Tim,Dave, Alex and all the weather aficionados on the forum...I think our Michigan lull is soon to be over:) Heard a big storm is coming with all the good wet stuff and maybe even icing. Sounds like Alex's report was right on...hope the weather is fine in L.A. in all ways.

    And just to think positive for the holidays, I'll wish ATB to all. May your forecast be beautiful! Sue

     

  • At 7:52 PM, December 08, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Sue/Dave
    Get your shovels ready. I am heading out for the 3rd time tonight to shovel and it is still snowing hard. The electric has gone out twice tonight but fortunately not for long. This is a very heavy wet snow...the kind that hurts the next day. Tomorrow the winds are to kick up so we will get lots of drifting. The temps are to fall as well with single digits likely....brrrrr LOL
    Tim

     

  • At 3:47 AM, December 09, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    The snow hit us last night - and me especially hard as the roads got very icy and guess who went into the ditch while coming home from his play? Yep - I'm not hurt but my car's front end needs some minor repair! Gotta love winter.

    DaveW

     

  • At 12:29 PM, December 09, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Snow is all around. It even hit here in Las Vegas. Glad to hear that you are ok Dave. Stay safe.

    Tanya

     

  • At 4:57 AM, December 10, 2009 , Anonymous Jaschenka said...

    Hey forum family.
    Hope you'll all be safe through tricky weather. I am travelling to Germany tomorrow for a couple of days away. Ute- I'll wave to you from the car when we ride by! ;)
    We'll be staying in a lovely foresty region (TeutoburgerWald) and I would not be surprised if we get some snow there too. We'll be visiting a medieval xmas market too and hopefully do plenty of walking.
    Tim- I bet the dogs love snow (mine do), but it's no condition for outdoor competitions. My youngest dog, funny enough named Sam, had a trial last week but got disqualified because his handler (no not me I am happy to say!!) gave him wrong directions. *grin* Over here weather has been mainly windy and wet, with some storms but mild temperatures till now.

    Anyone seeing any traditional holiday shows this season? Dave, Sue, Ufuk and Ute- catch you on facebook.
    Warm winter wishes and frosty fairy hugs to all! Be Inspired!

    http://www.elfwood.com/~jaschenka/Ice_Queen.2831724.html

     

  • At 3:25 PM, December 10, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Dave
    I hope your car isn't too bad off. Any more, a slight dent can cost big bucks to fix. We had a lot of black ice this morning as the temps dropped to -5(f)last night. Todays high was a wopping +9(f).

    Jaschenka
    The dogs do love the snow. Our old dog had to wear two coats this morning and she could barely walk.It was very funny to watch. Sorry to here about the disqualification. Been there done that before. My dog and I ended the 2009 season qualifying 5 out of 6 rounds. We will be heading off to the AKC Agility Championships in March in Tulsa Oklahoma.

    Hope you have a fun trip to Germany and I hope that you don't get too much snow.

    Take care everyone...stay safe...and warm

    Tim

     

  • At 10:18 PM, December 13, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Tim, like your safe and warm wishes. You too, as it looks like we're in our winter pattern in time for Christmas. Thanks for the heads up on what's coming our way! Enjoy the dog stories from you and Jaschenka and hope the Germany trip was great. Look forward to tales of that, too:)Snow in Las Vegas, too, Tanya...wow. My brother just drove to Wyoming to start a job at a new prison there, and said cars were off in the ditch all along through Iowa etc when he called me from Nebraska Fri.

    Dave hope the play's going well, and your car,too. And glad you found the CS fanpage on Facebook. Is everyone else there? Hope so. At least we're mostly on FB, it's good to catch up there. But nothing replaces the forum round table...and hope the head knight Sir Christopher is doing well. Guess we can have fun with that:)

    It's great to come here for a bit of ATP when you need it. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers on FB for my family and my sister-in-law, in the hospital, unresponsive, now determined to be a diabetic event. A waiting time.Hard to know what to do.

    Be well, everyone,and wishing you many ATB blessings this Christmas...Sue

     

  • At 8:43 AM, December 20, 2009 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Dear forum family...Thinking of you and the thoughts that Chris wrote about taking time to tell your folks you love them. By folks, I know he meant in the larger term as well...extended family, friends...even the postal person who daily delivers your mail. Being in an attitude of grace and of gratitude always inspires us at Christmastime. But taking it through the coming year is the challenge for all of us. As 2009 winds down and the excitement for 2010 arrives in our hearts, may I say how much I love this forum family. And how much I've thought about those words about telling people. A couple of weeks ago my ex sister-in-law, whom I always considered a kindred spirit, succumbed to something, the doctors are still not sure what. Hospice care seems the next step, as of yesterday. Perhaps there will be a miracle. Who knows what heaven has in mind. But I'm glad I had a wonderful visit with her before all this happened. And we knew how much we meant to each other. So, I guess I'm saying that I'm on the soap box with Chris about telling folks you love them while you can. And that reminds me, that I intended to send a fan contribution, which I will. And the subject, of course, is about love.
    It seems now, at Christmas, is the time to do that...because you're all there,too, on the ATP yellow brick road. All Things eautiful...always..Sue

     

  • At 1:09 PM, December 21, 2009 , Blogger Ufuk said...

    Hello everyone..

    Chris, Sam, i hope you all are better.. i do pray for you and for your family..

    Sue, what a beautiful post and message.. we love you too.. and i hope your ex sister-in-law will be okay..

    Just short news.. i had a sudden trip to Bangkok and Pattaya last week.. work related incentive trip..it was amazing to see the differences n cultures and life styles.. seeing different things is very refreshing to me.. there are many ways to live this life.. Chris, i know you also thinking out of the box.. seeing and experiencing difference helps it.. also tropical fruits, wonderful massages and 30 C was great.. we don't have snow in istanbul yet but it is 7 C..

    i wish you all Merry Christmas dear forum family friends Chris,Sam, Sue, Dave, Tim, Tom, Alex, Jaschenka, Ute, Angi,Tanya

    Love and hugs,

    Ufuk

     

  • At 1:54 PM, December 22, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi All
    I just got done packing and am getting ready to head for the airport. I am spending Christmas in Austin, TX. Northern Illinois is supposed to get a major ice storm tomorrow so it looks like I am getting out of town at the right time.

    Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday where ever you may be spending it!

    Tim

     

  • At 4:56 PM, December 22, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Sending love and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. - Tanya

     

  • At 9:24 PM, December 22, 2009 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hey all!
    Well, I'm back - my show, "Annie" in which I played Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks closed after playing to several sold out houses (a first for my group) and I'm recovering mostly by shopping for Christmas.

    Good to see that forum so active, I send out my good wishes for this holiday season as well. Even if you don't get to travel to a far off land (I'm still jealous of "sudden" trips to Bangkok Ufuk - I hope it was as interesting as I imagine) or celebrate Christmas itself, I hope you all take Chris' advice and enjoy the blessings of your family during this special time of remembering the past while looking forward to new beginnings.

    DaveW

     

  • At 9:54 AM, December 23, 2009 , Blogger Ufuk said...

    Dave.. indeed it was very interesting.. i think the far east is.. i hope you get a chance to go soon enough..

     

  • At 10:22 AM, December 24, 2009 , Anonymous Jaschenka said...

    Warm winter hugs to the entire Forum Family! I hope you get to share these special times with the ones you love. No matter how or where you all celebrate the season- and no matter how you call your celebration- be safe, be warm and..Be Inspired! Fairy magic, lots of Love & Light. Yuletide Blessings to you all.

     

  • At 4:25 PM, December 24, 2009 , Anonymous Alex said...

    Hi dear friends. Sue thank you for your wonderful message; we love you too! Thoughts and prayers to your ex sister-in-law. Chris, we hope to hear from you soon and that you, Sam, and yours are doing well. Sorry Dave for you car but luckly you're fine and that's really important; congrats for the show! Hope you all are always fine despite winter weather conditions; a new winter storm with snow showers, wind, cold air,ice is coming in Michigan and other states around on December 25-26-27, 2009 so be careful and stay safe. Hope Tanya in Las Vegas, Tim in Austin Texas and Chris in Los Angeles enjoy a better weather, sunny, on Christmas day. Great to hear from you Ufuk and hearing you enjoyed the trip to Bangkok and Pattaya. Thank you all for the updates and Jaschenka for sharing the link to your beautiful drawings. Sending you all the very best wishes for a Happy, safe, great Christmas, Holidays and New Year 2010!
    Alex

     

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