turps

It was dad's funeral yesterday.

As far as funerals ever can be, it went well.

So many people who loved him and our family attended. My friends, people from the scouts, from dad's family and Pauline's, so many of their friends. At one point I looked up when in the remembrance garden and saw a huge group of my brother's friends, men who he'd grown up with, who I've watched grow up alongside him, and there they all were, in suits and ties paying respect.

There was a fire engine and a honour guard of fire-fighters saluting dad into the crematorium. As he was a biker in his youth he had a Harley with black flags escorting him, his best friend from childhood -- also a biker rode behind, when I was talking to that friend later he said he'd been dad's friends for years, had sat next to him at their school desks -- and it was his honour to watch him go on his last journey.

So many smiles yesterday, so many tears. But dad was honoured beautifully, from his early years to now.

One person didn't turn up was mam. She hasn't even called or been in touch for days now after getting into a mood when she thought she wouldn't be mentioned in the service as dad's ex wife. She was, by name even. She said why didn't she count too, she was married to dad.

She says she loves Corey, and yet he was home from university for a night and day and she made no attempt to reach out to him when he was so upset. She's said and done so many horrible thing to us over the years in drink, but this. This can never be taken back. When she wouldn't come because apparently she had a bad leg, because she thought she wouldn't be welcome, because no one had invited her. Screw that. Despite what she thought we'd lost our dad, Chris even called up yesterday morning to say he wanted her to go and she wouldn't put her own self importance aside to be there as her children mourned. I'll never forget that.

But enough about her. My dad was a brilliant dad, calm, loving, quiet and I'd never change him for the world. He made me feel safe always, was patient, kind, never said a bad word to me and I always knew I was loved. He adored Corey and was thrilled when Corey wanted and then wore dad's old biker jacket often and embraced James into the family, even though he liked to tease him he was a pirate as he was originally from a town known for smuggling.

And now I'm crying again, but also smiling, because to me dad was perfect.

To my dad. To Bob. Love always ♥

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From:

dine

it sounds like your dad was a very special person, and that was deservedly recognized by many - I'm glad so many showed up to remember him. *hugs you*

treasure your good memories of his life!

turps

Dad was such a lovely man. I'll always want more time with him, but I do treasure the time I did have.

turlough

It sounds like a lovely funeral for a very special man. It's wonderful so many people wanted to remember and honour him. *hugs you long and hard*

It really was a lovely funeral. It was so personal, from walking in to the music Corey picked to the little stories that spanned dad's life.

The bikes and fire-engine were the perfect touches.

eledhwenlin

*snuggles*

Thank you ♥

andeincascade

So glad he got the send-off he deserved. Sending lots of love and hopes for your healing heart.

Thank you.

♥

pensnest

I'm glad your father had a good send-off. It sounds like a wonderful funeral. It's comforting to be able to see that other people cared about him and were touched by his life.

Your little eulogy, right there, makes him sound like the Dad everybody deserves.

*hugs*

It was a very fitting funeral for him. It was lovely to see so many people from different parts of his life.

He was an excellent day. I miss him terribly.

sperrywink

It does sound like a lovely remembrance for your Dad.

{{{hugs}}}

It really was.

Thank you ♥

bunnybeckett

I'm glad that your dad had the send off he deserved, considering he sounds like he was a wonderful guy in life. It's nice to see someone who has touched others' lives get that kind of memorial. I hope you're doing well.

Thank you so much for the lovely comment. He really was a lovely man, as for me, I'm getting there.

I just saw you followed me, btw. Hello. Hopefully I'll have more cheerful posts soon.