On the 28th of February, 2012, my dad passed away. He had cancer (brain tumor - discovered September, 2010) and had been in a wheelchair since his last surgery in September, 2011. A couple of people have said "He was sick for a while, so it wasn't a total shock", and while I am 100% sure that those people did not mean to come across as insensitive, it was hard to hear. Yes, he had been sick for a while, but it doesn't make losing him any easier. I mean, I spent 5 weeks in Tamworth over Christmas, and he was talking and joking and being demanding, I thought he would be around for at least a few more years...but, it wasn't part of God's plan. He died in his sleep, and next to my mum, his wife of almost 44 years, so he wasn't alone.
It is hard, and sad, and still a bit surreal, to have lost my dad. I don't think I will ever be 100% ok without him, but it is kind of a blessing that he doesn't have to suffer anymore.
I have been in the habit (obviously) of saying 'mum and dad's', my whole life, and it's taking a bit of getting used to to switch to saying 'mum's'...plus, it IS my mum and dad's house, they bought it together, and worked to pay it off together. So, for future reference, this is why I switch between the two.
My dad was a great man. The most amazing man I could ever hope to know. He was so smart, and loving, and caring, and friendly, and hard working, and other-ish...he is greatly missed, and will continue to be.
Never have I met anyone more willing to offer up his time for other people. Dad worked hard in all areas of his life: work, leisure, and home.
There is a magnet on mum and dad's fridge that says 'Stop me before I volunteer again' - That was my dad. He was on the school board all through the 7 of us being at school, he was at so many of our sports carnivals, running the bbq, he volunteered at the South Tamworth Bowling Club for almost as long as I can remember. Dad taught 6 of us to drive (he reckoned that's where his grey hair came from), and taught us all the importance of checking water, oil and tyre pressure. He picked us up from sports training, and dropped us off (and often watched) our weekend games. Dad was a big factor in me getting my first job (at McDonalds) cause he was friends with the store manager (I think he may have done some mantainance jobs for him too).
Dad was more than willing to help us wherever, and with whatever he could. He was my go-to for any questions that I had...mostly about cars, mechanics, road rules, and homework...he knew so much! He knew so much about everything!
I cannot bring him the praise he deserves in this blog. Just know that he was an amazing dad/husband/brother/uncle/cousin/and friend.
Dad and I definitely came to blows about things (especially things to do with me being a Christian), and sometimes he would frustrate me so much that I couldn't even stand to be in the same room as him, but I loved him. He was stubborn, and I could be too. Sometimes, we would get into a 'discussion' about something, and even if I figured out part way through that I was wrong, I wouldn't back down. I'd stick to my guns, no matter how ridiculous.
So, while he is gone, there are lots of things that remind me of him, and I'm sure the things that I know about him, will continue to have some influence on my life and decisions.
For those of you who pray, please do be praying for my mum, my 6 siblings, dad's 6 siblings, and all dad's friends, as we all continue to process everything that comes with this sad event.
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| Lunch in Southbank with mum and dad! (mum took the picture) |
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