Today
Today is pops funeral.
I have sewn one of his uniform decorations from when he was in the Royal Australian Artillary onto a shirt for Zac to wear today at his request.
I have tears prickling at the back of my eyeballs.
I am not sad really though, just full of emotion of all different sorts. Part of it is relief that he passed so quickly in the end and was fairly pain free, sadness that he and Nan never made it to the retirement home together, sadness that everything has changed, that their home is now empty, that there is no more morning or afternoon teas there. No more of nans cupcakes or pops stories.
His hugs...I miss his hugs so much. He loved hugs, especially from the girls...he was a bit of a flirt. Every time I saw him there was a huge hug hello and an even bigger one goodbye. The parting hug was usually accompanied with the comment, "Ahhh if only I was 30 years younger..." and an extra squeeze for good measure.
I will miss the look of love and joy on his face as we walked through their back door and he would always ask, "Where is me boy?" and look around to make sure we had Zac with us.
When we left after the hugs, he would always open the car door for me, supervise me putting my seat belt on, check to make sure Zac had his on and then tell me to watch my fingers as he shut the door and made sure I was safe for the drive home around the corner.
I loved that man. He was everything I could have ever asked for in a grandfather and only got once I married Paul. I had nearly 6 years with him being a constant in my life, we moved here to be closer to them as they were so important to Paul.
Mostly though it is the things I never saw that I am grateful for, he was a huge influence in Paul's life and is partially responsible for Paul being the man I love today. He instilled so many good old fashined qualities in him while at the same time being a grandfather and spoiling him, loving him and teaching him.
I remember the last time pop really spoke to Zac. Zac was saying goodbye and did the usually handshake before he dove in for a hug. Pop had Zac's hand and asked him "Where did you learn to shake hands like that mate? That's a good stroung grip!" Zac looked at Pop and said, "From you." The look on Pops face was pure joy, like his work was done, he had taught his sons, grandsons and now his great grand son that a good man has a firm hand shake.
We are moving on without Pop in our lives, but he is in my heart and with me whereever I go. I hear his voice talking to me, small words of encouragement, I see his smiles and I still feel his love.
Rest in peace Pop..
I have sewn one of his uniform decorations from when he was in the Royal Australian Artillary onto a shirt for Zac to wear today at his request.
I have tears prickling at the back of my eyeballs.
I am not sad really though, just full of emotion of all different sorts. Part of it is relief that he passed so quickly in the end and was fairly pain free, sadness that he and Nan never made it to the retirement home together, sadness that everything has changed, that their home is now empty, that there is no more morning or afternoon teas there. No more of nans cupcakes or pops stories.
His hugs...I miss his hugs so much. He loved hugs, especially from the girls...he was a bit of a flirt. Every time I saw him there was a huge hug hello and an even bigger one goodbye. The parting hug was usually accompanied with the comment, "Ahhh if only I was 30 years younger..." and an extra squeeze for good measure.
I will miss the look of love and joy on his face as we walked through their back door and he would always ask, "Where is me boy?" and look around to make sure we had Zac with us.
When we left after the hugs, he would always open the car door for me, supervise me putting my seat belt on, check to make sure Zac had his on and then tell me to watch my fingers as he shut the door and made sure I was safe for the drive home around the corner.
I loved that man. He was everything I could have ever asked for in a grandfather and only got once I married Paul. I had nearly 6 years with him being a constant in my life, we moved here to be closer to them as they were so important to Paul.
Mostly though it is the things I never saw that I am grateful for, he was a huge influence in Paul's life and is partially responsible for Paul being the man I love today. He instilled so many good old fashined qualities in him while at the same time being a grandfather and spoiling him, loving him and teaching him.
I remember the last time pop really spoke to Zac. Zac was saying goodbye and did the usually handshake before he dove in for a hug. Pop had Zac's hand and asked him "Where did you learn to shake hands like that mate? That's a good stroung grip!" Zac looked at Pop and said, "From you." The look on Pops face was pure joy, like his work was done, he had taught his sons, grandsons and now his great grand son that a good man has a firm hand shake.
We are moving on without Pop in our lives, but he is in my heart and with me whereever I go. I hear his voice talking to me, small words of encouragement, I see his smiles and I still feel his love.
Rest in peace Pop..