This week past has been quite difficult for my family as my Pa (paternal grandad) passed away.
The family are doing fine, getting through each day and dealing with all that comes with a circumstance such as this. For my Gran having now come upon a time when her husband of sixty years is no longer with her, it will be especially hard - but we are, of course, all banding around her, giving support to one another and celebrating Pa in our memories of times with him, his loud and raucous laughter (my Gran heard laugh before she even met him, and asked of her friends "who is that?!" after hearing it across the ballroom!), his gentle heart and vibrant love of life and nature.
So I'd like to share with you part of what I spoke at the funeral - to give you a bit of insight into the incredible man I was lucky enough to have as my Pa for 24 years :)
This story epitomises o me who Pa was and how he inspired me, and so many others. He delighted in nature, in the wonder of all things simple ye magical - and shared that joy with others.
I was about 12 or so at the time, Pa and I were driving home from somewhere or other along the edge of the golf course he used to frequent. All of a sudden Pa pulled off the road, mounted the kerb and parked on the nature strip there!
Abandonning the car we set off at a cracking pace. Pa, at that time a spritely 73 year old, nimbly vaulted the fence and I clumsily followed. We strode off through the bushy scrub there at the edge of the golf course.
You see, as Pa was a regular there he was well acquainted with all the natural goodies and wonders in that area just waiting to be explored!
This particular day he led me to the spot where a colony of bees had built the most ginormous and magnificent of hives. He explained to me how the hive worked, why the bees would have chosen that particular spot and so on, educating me to the natural intricacies and amazements of the world, inspiring me to always look for wonder in ordinary things, peeking under the surface to find what fabulous discoveries are there just waiting to delight an inquisitive mind.
We will miss Pa, but we will have him in our hearts always and we will see him and hear his voice in every interesting fact we discovery or natural wonder we see.
The family are doing fine, getting through each day and dealing with all that comes with a circumstance such as this. For my Gran having now come upon a time when her husband of sixty years is no longer with her, it will be especially hard - but we are, of course, all banding around her, giving support to one another and celebrating Pa in our memories of times with him, his loud and raucous laughter (my Gran heard laugh before she even met him, and asked of her friends "who is that?!" after hearing it across the ballroom!), his gentle heart and vibrant love of life and nature.
So I'd like to share with you part of what I spoke at the funeral - to give you a bit of insight into the incredible man I was lucky enough to have as my Pa for 24 years :)
This story epitomises o me who Pa was and how he inspired me, and so many others. He delighted in nature, in the wonder of all things simple ye magical - and shared that joy with others.
I was about 12 or so at the time, Pa and I were driving home from somewhere or other along the edge of the golf course he used to frequent. All of a sudden Pa pulled off the road, mounted the kerb and parked on the nature strip there!
Abandonning the car we set off at a cracking pace. Pa, at that time a spritely 73 year old, nimbly vaulted the fence and I clumsily followed. We strode off through the bushy scrub there at the edge of the golf course.
You see, as Pa was a regular there he was well acquainted with all the natural goodies and wonders in that area just waiting to be explored!
This particular day he led me to the spot where a colony of bees had built the most ginormous and magnificent of hives. He explained to me how the hive worked, why the bees would have chosen that particular spot and so on, educating me to the natural intricacies and amazements of the world, inspiring me to always look for wonder in ordinary things, peeking under the surface to find what fabulous discoveries are there just waiting to delight an inquisitive mind.
We will miss Pa, but we will have him in our hearts always and we will see him and hear his voice in every interesting fact we discovery or natural wonder we see.
9 comments:
Hi, Darling. He sounds like a most excellent grandpa. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am sorry for your loss. I'm glad you have such wonderful memories of your grandpa. He sounds like a wonderful man.
What a darling story! Sending my love to you and your family. :)
Eeep! That last comment was actually from me. My boss was signed in to her account on my computer. Oops!!
:)
Im sooo sorry to hear that chook, catch up with u soon, chin up and he sounds like he was a great man
Sorry to hear about your grandpa & we miss you at City Nits today. Take care & will see you soon.
hey sweetie. sending you lots of huggies to you and your family.
Sorry to hear of your loss and what a great story to remember your grandpa by. Our thoughts go out to you and your family. Lots of hugs
So sorry to hear about your pa...take care and see you soon. our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time
hugz
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