Eulogy
On my way back to Hapton after hearing the news of my granddads passing I stared out of the train window. I saw a rainbow and it followed me part of the way. It made me smile and comforted me. I looked away and it was gone.
But it was comforting. It reminded me that beautiful things don't always last but you'll see them again another day.
And my grandfather was a beautiful man. He always said he was living on borrowed time after living with diabetes for 54 years. They told him he only had 20 years...
Well Ron Steele was having none of that. He was as stubborn as they come and wasn't going to let a small thing like having diabetes stop him from being independent and getting as much done as he could.
He was scout master and devout Salvationist. But as far as I am concerned his greatest achievement was that of father and of Grandfather.
He really did fulfil the role of "great" grandfather. After my father Adrian passed on he did a wonderful role of guiding me when I needed guiding and showing tolerance when I needed tolerating (and trust me I was a pain when I wanted to be)
For someone who lived on borrowed time I'm proud to say that he got to witness both his granddaughters and his great grandson. Its one thing I will never doubt in that I know he loved us all with all his heart.
Still I'm going to miss groaning at his terrible jokes. "Oh Granddad!" I'd laugh. But his sense of humour was infectious. He was as sharp as a knife till the day he went. I have no doubt that he will be raising a few laughs in Heaven today.
So though for selfish reasons I will miss my granddad terribly today I will celebrate the life of someone who taught me a great many lessons, most importantly of all that to love and to live life with vigour will pull us though all manner of troubled times.
There is no doubt that Ron Steele has gone to glory in Heaven and as Vincent reminded me - I will see him again someday.
Goodnight and god bless granddad
1933 -2009
But it was comforting. It reminded me that beautiful things don't always last but you'll see them again another day.
And my grandfather was a beautiful man. He always said he was living on borrowed time after living with diabetes for 54 years. They told him he only had 20 years...
Well Ron Steele was having none of that. He was as stubborn as they come and wasn't going to let a small thing like having diabetes stop him from being independent and getting as much done as he could.
He was scout master and devout Salvationist. But as far as I am concerned his greatest achievement was that of father and of Grandfather.
He really did fulfil the role of "great" grandfather. After my father Adrian passed on he did a wonderful role of guiding me when I needed guiding and showing tolerance when I needed tolerating (and trust me I was a pain when I wanted to be)
For someone who lived on borrowed time I'm proud to say that he got to witness both his granddaughters and his great grandson. Its one thing I will never doubt in that I know he loved us all with all his heart.
Still I'm going to miss groaning at his terrible jokes. "Oh Granddad!" I'd laugh. But his sense of humour was infectious. He was as sharp as a knife till the day he went. I have no doubt that he will be raising a few laughs in Heaven today.
So though for selfish reasons I will miss my granddad terribly today I will celebrate the life of someone who taught me a great many lessons, most importantly of all that to love and to live life with vigour will pull us though all manner of troubled times.
There is no doubt that Ron Steele has gone to glory in Heaven and as Vincent reminded me - I will see him again someday.
Goodnight and god bless granddad
1933 -2009