This must have been difficult to write. What a shame that he died so young.
September is also a bittersweet month for me, it's the same month my mom died (1 year ago) and my best friend of 20+ years (6 years ago).
Thanks for sharing this touching story. The book from your "god brother" with the note is quite a powerful memento. Hopefully, it brings you some measure of peace knowing your father was proud of you and boasted of your achievements.
You know, that book has sat on my shelf unread for 19 years. But I have made a point to keep it, through so many moves, and so many de-stashes. That book, and a statuette of a dragon with a sword (letter opener to give you an idea of the scale) - are really the only things I have left of my Father, beyond the memories in my head.
The other thing about that book is that while I know LeGuinn is an absolute goddess of Science Fiction and Fantasy - this inscription by a man I never knew, about a man I barely knew, makes it so difficult to approach LeGuinn's work.
I will get over that contradiction for myself sometime soon.
I can imagine that must be a difficult conflict. Even if you never read the book, it seems like a wonderful way to remember your father. Perhaps if you ever get around to reading it, it will have a special meaning to you. Maybe read a different copy so you don't damage that one.