I'm a Proud Man!
Mar. 21st, 2005 10:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
whotheheckamiThis news made me a very proud and happy Welshman this weekend. Even more so for the pride and joy my father would have felt at seeing a Welsh Grand-Slam. He loved his rubgy and used to tape every Welsh game to send to my brother in Norway. At the final whistle my brother, sister and I exchanged ecstatic texts with each other. Tears were streaming down my face as shared in the team's victory and my thoughts turned to my father. In my mind this win will always be dedicated to his memory.
For Dad
The following is the text that my brother read at my Dad's funeral
Hi Dad,
"How are you? How was the journey? How are the children? Have you slept well? Are you happy with what you are doing?" These were words we used to hear a lot, and it was how we were greeted whenever we came to see you. You have always been concerned about the well – being and happiness of those close to you. Even last Friday, when Mam and Chrissy came to visit, you asked about the family, and especially the grandchildren.
As children we didn't see much of you, you were always working on the farm. But it didn't stop Mam using you as a threat though: "You wait until your father gets home", she used to threaten. And what happened – nothing!! But if we needed you, we knew we could count on you – as long as it wasn't asking for money or sympathy, when we were ill!!!
I consider myself privileged to have spent 10 years of my working life with you. I was able to see the side of a man that you did not show to many people. You taught me so much, both about farming and about life in general in those years. You taught me to look at everything around me; "birds and animals all have there special feature, together with the charm and hardship of the seasons", you used to say. "Use your instinct with the animals, and go with what you feel, remember, they can’t tell you what's wrong". You also taught me a lot about working and living close to other people. "Go to bed as friends, never take an argument to bed with you", you said.
As a Grandfather you were a big softy. You always had time to talk to them and listen to them. On the farm, whenever there were kittens around, you would be the first one to take the grandchildren to see where they had been hidden. You have always taken a great interest in whatever the grandchildren were doing. It did not matter to you whether they would end up as road sweepers or doctors, as long as you knew they were happy. Your kindness and generosity towards your family and the love you showered freely on your grandchildren will always be deep in our memories.
As Mam's husband you were always so considerate; you always surprised her with special gifts at Christmas time and birthdays, and Mam was as surprised every year that you had kept it a secret!! You two were always so close – you worked together in Erw Coed and on the farm for over 40 years. You rarely lost your temper, even when Mam did!! Many people used to see you on your walks along Bodafon Road – on your way to meet Mam in Asda. Always stopping and chatting to people. Not many people have stayed as happy as you and Mam did, after more than 50 years of marriage.
When you finally retired you became a changed man; from one who had never touched a duster in his life, to a real househusband. You would do the cleaning, washing up and even hovering. "Leave it to Mary" you used to say, and lock yourself in the kitchen with the telly on full blast, especially when there was a match on.
We all knew how your health was not good, with your breathing difficulties and all the medicines you were taking. We often wondered how you lasted so long but we are so thankful for all the years we had with you. You always found humour in every situation, making us laugh. You never gave up, and you were happy to the last. Your humour, stubbornness and willpower is a feature, which we all inherited, I am proud to say.
Your true love, Mam, "The stuck up lady from Boots the Chemist" is now left to look after your second love, your grandchildren. They all have their own special memories of their Taid.
Life goes on, you used to say- but now it is your time to go, You will always be with us; when we look up at the stars we will see Venus and we will know that you are there, keeping an eye on your flock.
The following is the text that my brother read at my Dad's funeral
Hi Dad,
"How are you? How was the journey? How are the children? Have you slept well? Are you happy with what you are doing?" These were words we used to hear a lot, and it was how we were greeted whenever we came to see you. You have always been concerned about the well – being and happiness of those close to you. Even last Friday, when Mam and Chrissy came to visit, you asked about the family, and especially the grandchildren.
As children we didn't see much of you, you were always working on the farm. But it didn't stop Mam using you as a threat though: "You wait until your father gets home", she used to threaten. And what happened – nothing!! But if we needed you, we knew we could count on you – as long as it wasn't asking for money or sympathy, when we were ill!!!
I consider myself privileged to have spent 10 years of my working life with you. I was able to see the side of a man that you did not show to many people. You taught me so much, both about farming and about life in general in those years. You taught me to look at everything around me; "birds and animals all have there special feature, together with the charm and hardship of the seasons", you used to say. "Use your instinct with the animals, and go with what you feel, remember, they can’t tell you what's wrong". You also taught me a lot about working and living close to other people. "Go to bed as friends, never take an argument to bed with you", you said.
As a Grandfather you were a big softy. You always had time to talk to them and listen to them. On the farm, whenever there were kittens around, you would be the first one to take the grandchildren to see where they had been hidden. You have always taken a great interest in whatever the grandchildren were doing. It did not matter to you whether they would end up as road sweepers or doctors, as long as you knew they were happy. Your kindness and generosity towards your family and the love you showered freely on your grandchildren will always be deep in our memories.
As Mam's husband you were always so considerate; you always surprised her with special gifts at Christmas time and birthdays, and Mam was as surprised every year that you had kept it a secret!! You two were always so close – you worked together in Erw Coed and on the farm for over 40 years. You rarely lost your temper, even when Mam did!! Many people used to see you on your walks along Bodafon Road – on your way to meet Mam in Asda. Always stopping and chatting to people. Not many people have stayed as happy as you and Mam did, after more than 50 years of marriage.
When you finally retired you became a changed man; from one who had never touched a duster in his life, to a real househusband. You would do the cleaning, washing up and even hovering. "Leave it to Mary" you used to say, and lock yourself in the kitchen with the telly on full blast, especially when there was a match on.
We all knew how your health was not good, with your breathing difficulties and all the medicines you were taking. We often wondered how you lasted so long but we are so thankful for all the years we had with you. You always found humour in every situation, making us laugh. You never gave up, and you were happy to the last. Your humour, stubbornness and willpower is a feature, which we all inherited, I am proud to say.
Your true love, Mam, "The stuck up lady from Boots the Chemist" is now left to look after your second love, your grandchildren. They all have their own special memories of their Taid.
Life goes on, you used to say- but now it is your time to go, You will always be with us; when we look up at the stars we will see Venus and we will know that you are there, keeping an eye on your flock.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-03-21 05:22 pm (UTC)Priceless. What a tribute.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-21 08:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-03-21 10:52 pm (UTC)