A Decade without you, Dad
Wow.. Has it really been 10 years?
Dad and I at Madison Square Gardens, NYC.. 2008? I think!
This past January marked the 10-year Anniversary of my dad, Phil, passing away.. a milestone that brings back so many memories and a mix of emotions. I miss him terribly, and I still get the odd wobble when one of his favourite songs comes on, and plunges me into uncontrollable sadness.. (Simply Red, Eddie Grant)
My dad had a way of making every moment feel special, whether we were embarking on adventures abroad, or simply taking a curious walk round a local park to admire the wildlife (he taught me the name of every wild bird we could find, something my own son sadly doesn't care for..) Dad taught me to find the wonder in everything.. His quirky, adventurous spirit is something I cherish deeply, and it certainly lives on in me!
I really miss my dad for his wealth of knowledge.. he just seemed to know a little bit about everything! No matter the topic, he always had a useful tid bit of advice or a fresh perspective to share. I think some of this came from his job, he worked as a taxi driver for many years, a job which he really enjoyed.. and so got to meet people from all walks of life, most of whom would happily talk to him about themselves and share interesting facts about their work, which he would them eagerly pass on to my mum an I when he came home from work, ha!
Another way I always appreciated my dad, was for his strong work ethic, he worked exceptionally hard, and often long hours, to give mum and I a nice life, we enjoyed many holidays, and plenty of meals out (mainly curry.. dad was the curry king!) and his loyalty to us was unquestionable.. He was a true legend
Dad with my son Joel, oh look, in a curry house..! 2014
Anyway, thanks for reading the contents of my brain today.. and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that grief never really goes away.. it just changes shape over time. Even though the raw intensity of the early days after losing him has mellowed, the feeling of loss still lingers..
I believe this is how a special memorial keepsake containing cremation ashes or a lock of hair can bring you some comfort by keeping them close to you always, and is the reason I began this journey :)