REMEMBERING OUR FATHER

by Heather M

Last year for WFOL, I shared some artwork that I had done of Roy Dotrice as Father, as well as the story of meeting him when I was 16, at the first convention both he and I ever attended. I was delirious with joy and nerves at that strange and wonderful celebration in Denver, Colorado in 1988. What if seeing him in person made the magic of this most beloved show a little less, well, magical?

I needn’t have worried. As those of us who were fortunate enough to spend any amount of time in his presence know, he was a fan’s dream-come-true. Roy was Father – wise, gracious, witty, and so, so kind. He had the rare gift of making every person he was with feel significant and honored.

Even though it’s been 30 years, it’s an experience that still resonates deeply with me to this day, one that rekindles my faith in a world that seems to have lost much of its kindness as of late. And so, it is with a heavy but grateful heart that I think back on those memories and the correspondence that we shared over the years. In his last letter, dated just a few years ago, he ended by writing “I wish you joy for the future and hope we may meet again one fine day.” I hope for that day as well; until then, he will remain forever in our hearts, Father to a family of strangers brought together to become friends. Therein lies the true magic.