There was a great complexity to my father. He was a devoted family man. But, in the same breath, he simply was not suited to an anchored life. He should have been somebody who had a backpack, an old map, a bit of change in his pocket and that was it - roaming the world.

Summary

This quote speaks to the paradoxical nature of the speaker's father. While he was inherently committed to his family, he possessed an innate restlessness that made him unsuited for a settled life. The quote suggests that he would have been better suited as a wanderer, someone with minimal possessions, exploring the world with only a backpack, an old map, and a little money. It highlights the complex and conflicting aspects of his personality, portraying him as both devoted to his loved ones yet yearning for the freedom of exploration and adventure.

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