Monday, March 22, 2010

Memories...

I've been debating about writing about this here, but particularly in view of the last few posts about love and old age, it seems right.

My amazing dad died last week after fighting so bravely and if it's possible, lovingly. He really was, as one of my beautiful nieces called him on facebook this week, a 'legend'.

This week, his close family will be sharing our memories of him, and although it will be sad, I think it will also be a celebration. Not least because the story of my mum and dad has always been a love story, and he's missed her so much over recent years. Once, when they were both in different hospitals, they got us - their middle-aged children - to carry love poems and letters back and forth between the two of them. How lucky could we be?

And now, here are three of my favourite childhood memories of him to share with you. Collecting them for this blog makes me appreciate his sense of humour and fun all over again.

1) He had a passion for Eric Morecambe (he even looked a bit like him):



2) Is it possible to beat this Harry Worth window trick? We didn't think so when we were kids anyway. Maybe I'm just imagining it but I am convinced Dad used to do this too. I know going anywhere in public with him was a mixture of pride, pleasure and deep embarrassment. He couldn't pass anyone by without striking up a conversation with them and trying to make them smile. One of his favourite jokes was to try to sell us in shops when we were really small. How we laughed.

3) I always remember him playing Johnny Cash loudly in the car, and whenever this particular song came on we knew the words well enough to shout it out. Dad often used to wind down the windows too so we could really let go on the bit, 'My name is Sue, how do you do?'. Still can't resist it now, and it was a joy to hear from a school friend over the weekend who remembers this vividly too. We all need some gravel in our guts and spit in our eye....



I'm not sure how often I'll be blogging over the next couple of weeks, but I'll definitely still be running the competition. That judging panel are prepared after all, and I can't tell you how much I've been reading and rereading all the lovely quotes and comments I've received. Thank you. If you would like to send more, you know they will be read with gratitude and care. You can't celebrate love of any kind enough, and it's a fine collection we're gathering here, competition or no competition.

14 comments:

Sue Guiney said...

Dear Sarah, I'm so very sorry to hear your news. I'm sure it was a struggle to decide whether to blog about your dad's passing or not, but I for one am grateful to know about it. I've always felt the world becomes a different place when a loved one leaves it, and those of us who care about you need to know our worlds, too, are now different for his passing and his importance to you. Love to you all, Sue.

Nik Perring said...

So sorry to hear about this, Sarah. What beautiful memories, and what a wonderful person he sounds like.

Love to you

Nik xx

Caroline said...

A beautiful post. I like that I'm now thinking about your dad.
Take care and thank you for sharing xxx

Rachel @ Suburban Yogini said...

Sending good thoughts for you and yours.

Rachel

Sarah Salway said...

Thanks all x

Kathryn's Daily Writing Workout said...

Hi Sarah, I'm very glad that you decided share your sad news and lovely memories. Thinking of you. x

jem said...

Sorry to you Sarah, but thanks for sharing. My Dad passed that paper bag trick off as his own many times before I was old enough to know who Eric Morecambe way.

Thankfully my parents are both still alive, but as I get older I realise I shouldn't take that for granted, as they won't always be there. I try to take more note of them, and their individual ways, take time to appreciate them and the relationship we have. I hope I am laying down memories to tide me through the times after they're gone.

You seem to have a good stock of great memories to see you through.

Cornflower said...

Thinking of you, Sarah.
x

Kath McGurl said...

So sorry to hear this news. Your dad sounds like an amazing man. He'll live on for you, every time you see an Eric Morecombe clip or think of that Harry Worth gag. So even after his death he'll make you smile.

annie clarkson said...

Sorry to hear your sad news... I like your memories of him, your dad had great taste!

DJ Kirkby said...

Oh Sarah :( what a sad, but beautiful post. xo

Elizabeth Baines said...

So sorry to hear this sad news, Sarah.Thank you for sharing with us what a wonderful person your father was. I am so glad to have known about him. You will all miss him so much, and I'm thinking of you. Love, Elizabeth. xx

Megan Warren said...

Sarah - so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Remember all the good times, he will never leave you he will always be in you heart. xxxx

Anonymous said...

I think Megan is quite right. You will never forget. Our loved ones are always with us, everywhere we go, everything we do. My Mum died three years ago, but there isn't a day goes by that I don't think of her, imagine what she would have said about this, what she would have thought about that.

After all, memories are really all we ever have...

Andy