This day thirty one years ago the clock stopped at 9am and for a while so too did my world and that of my family, as the thief that was Motor Neurone Disease, robbed me of my dad. He slipped away with no fuss, no drama, exactly as he’d lived, his soulmate by his side.
At the time I cried bitter tears, not being there at the end to say goodbye, but as the years have rolled by I no longer have such regrets. I would not have wanted him to last another moment. He’d given us all the time he could.
In the thirty one years since, my life has moved on, but a part of me still lives in that day, never quite able to leave Dad behind.
And I hope a part of Dad too, was never quite able to leave us behind, continuing to share our lives, steering our course quietly from afar and cheering us on.
As always, today I indulge myself with this song from the Fureys, “The Old Man.”
The Old Man.
The tears have all been shed now
We´ve said our last goodbyes
His souls been blessed
He’s laid to rest
And it´s now I feel alone
He was more than just a father
A teacher my best friend
He can still be heard
In the tunes we shared
When we play them on our own
[Chorus]
I never will forget him
For he made me “what I am”
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man
As a boy he’d take me walking
By mountain field and stream
And he showed me things
Not known to kings
And secret between him and me
Like the colors of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the Holly Tree
I thought he’d live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly
And the years roll by
For a father and a son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance
To tell him thanks
For everything he’s done
Chorus.
My thoughts on a page. 
❤
Thank you Sue.
No matter the time it still seems like just yesterday- I totally get it- 34 years since cancer robbed us of my brother-
So sorry about your brother. It’s such a long time without them and so many what might have beens…
My brother gave us all that song when our father passed away. I stand here looking back at you on that day Tric. What a grand life he lived, to be loved after being gone. ❤
Yes, forever our dad and I forever his daughter. I am always reminded when I hear this song, that you too associate this song with your dad. In Dublin it’s a term of endearment to call your dad ‘the oul fella’ or ‘my old man’ regardless of what age you are, hence the title.
I just love it. I have no doubt our old mans are up there clinking together a pint. And very glad we found one another. The anniversary of my father’s passing is tomorrow. I cannot fathom him being gone 20 years.
❤ ❤ ❤ so beautiful
Thanks Beth. xx
Lovely and sad
Beautiful post and song, Tric. Sending hugs. It’s so hard losing a loved one. My mom’s been gone for 6 years and Dad passed a little over a year ago. Today actually would’ve been his 99th birthday. He did live to 97, but no matter how long, the ending brings the same emotions. 💕
Wow they lived to a great age, but yes it’s never the right time. Thank you.