Friday, July 20, 2012

A Difficult Day


Today is the third anniversary of my Dad’s death.  As this date rolls around each year, I find I’m worrying about the same thing… how to keep his memory alive in my mind.  I don’t ever want to forget what his voice sounded like saying the words, “Hi love” as I opened the front door when he visited or the way his big hugs made me feel so loved. I want my girls to grow up knowing what a genuine man their Pop was, how proud he was of his family and how he would have adored them and showered them with affection.    

I was never a ‘Daddy’s girl’ growing up.  It was only after my teenage years that things changed for us.  However, the one thing I take comfort in since his death, is knowing that our relationship in those last ten years was perfect.  Dad would be in contact with us often, with not many days passing before he’d phone just to check on us, to message Paul asking, “how are my girls going?” or to stop by for a cuppa on his way home from work.  He would attend every gig of my sister’s and every social sporting game of mine or Paul’s.  He visited me at the maternity hospital every single day I was there when I had Grace.  If he were still here today, he’d be reading every one of my blog posts just to show his support.  

That day three years ago is still clear in my mind.  It was an ordinary Tuesday at home for me.  Nine week old Grace had just gone down for her morning nap when I received a call checking to see whether I’d heard from my Dad as he couldn’t be contacted.  He had failed to drop past my Nanna’s after work the previous evening as he’d planned to and that morning, he still hadn’t called to check on her (a daily ritual for him).  I can remember that sick feeling in my stomach as I desperately tried to call his mobile and his home number over and over and over.  Nothing.  I called Paul at work to see if he’d spoken to Dad that morning.  He hadn’t.  Knowing things weren’t right, Paul raced home. 

And then I waited by the phone and cried and cried with worry. 

Not long after, I found out Dad had suffered a sudden heart attack.  He was fifty six.

My sister had been away down south at a workshop when Dad passed away.  My aunty and uncle made the five hour trip there to break the devastating news to her in person and bring her home.  I can’t imagine how difficult that five hour car ride must have been for her. 

I thought I’d share with you all today something that was said at my Dad’s funeral, something that I try to remember every single day and that I hope strikes a chord with some of you reading this post…




“Life is something we so often take for granted, it is something we assume.  But it is so fragile, just a moment in eternity.

Today is a reminder to us that we should live our own lives fully. 

Treasure each moment as though it could be your last. 

Let life challenge and encourage you.

Cherish those you love, tell them just how much you love them.

Life is still out there waiting to be lived.  Celebrate it and do things today; because life is too short to put off living until tomorrow.

If all you who knew Trevor can learn from his experience, if you can profit from his example, if you can live a little better for having known him, then this will give continuing purpose to his life and be a living memorial to him.”



Love you Dad and miss you more than ever.

31 comments:

  1. Amanda I can hear how much you love your father and how deeply you miss him I am so sorry that he is no longer here in person but he will always be in your heart. The love you have for him I know that your daughters can see, they will know what a great man he was. I love those words spoken at your father's funeral, life is so precious and should be enjoyed and lived thoughtfully. Take care my beautiful friend. Hugs Catherine xx

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  2. Oh Amanda, I feel so sad for your loss reading this. Your dad was so young. It must be so hard thinking of that day. I have no helpful words but I'm sending a lot of hugs your way xox

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  3. What a beautiful post about your Dad Amanda, he sounds like an amazing man and clearly loved you very much. Please dont worry that wont ever change he will always be in your heart every day of your life. I really feel for you, he was taken way too young xxx

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  4. A beautiful post Amanda. I don't know your pain and possibly never will as my relationship with my dad isn't as close and loving as was yours. I am touched by your description of your relationship with your Dad. I have always yearned for that type of relationship so I can only imagine the heartbreak of that ceasing. We had a scare this week with Dad's health (a story not for here) and it left me thinking exactly what you said at your Dad's funeral. So very true. I hope as each anniversary passes your pain gets smaller and your joyful memories resonate loudly. My thoughts are with you and your family tonight. Blessings, Fi xx

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  5. OH Amanda, I am wiping away my tears. What a lovely post. Your Dad was obviously well loved by you and your family. I imagine he would have been chuffed to read your lovely post. Hugs Deb

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  6. Big hugs today Amanda. It sounds like you had a lovely relationship with your dad. Thanks for sharing the beautiful words from your dad's funeral, its always a good reminder to live life for today xx

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  7. Oh Amanda, so sad to lose your Dad at such a young age. My heart went out to you at the thought of you sitting by the phone as you waited for news, weeping with worry. But such beautiful and true words at the end of your post. My Dad pops in most days after work to see Saskia and I, and perhaps I take it for granted sometimes. Your words will stay with me.

    You probably remember me saying that K lost his Dad only a few months ago and he struggled with the very same thing you talk about, keeping his memory alive. But I don't think you'll ever forget. He sounded like a wonderful father. Thinking of you x

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  8. You are in my thoughts and I am sending you much love. How much you love your dad is beautiful, and you won't forget him xxx

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  9. such a beautiful post, I'm sure he's smiling down on you now,more proud than ever. thinking of you today and thank you for the all too real reminder that life is truly a blessing. x

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  10. What a beautiful post Amanda
    Your words about treasuring each day are so true
    Holding those happy memories in your heart and speaking them to your girls honours him so much
    x

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  11. I am deeply moved...and honoured that you shared this day, your dad and a part of the words spoken at his funeral. He sounds like a wonderful man and a devoted father and pop. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure your love will keep his memory alive. Take care beautiful lady xx

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  12. Thinking of you Amanda, what a beautiful post for your beautiful dad. I agree, your love for him and your loving words will keep his memory alive always. Big hugs for you x

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  13. Oh Amanda, what a beautiful post in honour of your father's passing. I think your girls will learn about how wonderful their Pop was through your stories and also through how wonderful you are with them, you learnt from a fantastic example after all. Thinking of you on this day x

    PS. The cuckoo clock is up on the wall and tested out, it works beautifully. We are just waiting for the new stick to arrive so it keeps time properly. And it is very much loved by both myself and Keenan already, although the meow is still somewhat confused by its movements, ticking noises and cuckoos - she keeps going to stare at it. Thank you so much for offering it to me! I did think of you and your dad when we were putting it up the other day.

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  14. wow my eyes shining reading this post, I remember your one last year......he sounds like the kinda dad everyone wants, and you describe him so well, I know it sounds strange but the picture you paint makes me feel like I knew him (through your words).........thanks so much for sharing Amanda and reminding us life is short and I do think we often take it for granted smooch to you lisa xx

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  15. Beautiful post Amanda, sending you hugs.x

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  16. Hi Amanda. Your Dad sounded like the perfect father and I'm sure he knows that you dearly miss him. I hope your memories bring you comfort. When my Nan passed away I also wanted to ensure that I never forgot all our amazing times together and her personality and decided to type up all my memories and all about her and save on the computer so I can keep adding as time goes by and I remember other things. It will be nice to look back on in years to come and remember the small things that you might have otherwise forgotten. Kath xx

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  17. Beautiful post Amanda. I lost my Dad when I was 16 and although the pain has faded over the years, my memories of him definitely haven't. Hearing how you speak of your father, I don't think you will ever forget him! Love and hugs... S x

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  18. Oh Amanda, I am in tears. What a beautiful tribute to your father, he sounds like he was a lovely man and a wonderful father and grandfather. Thinking of you. xx

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  19. oh, what a beautiful post about your dad...i cried when i was reading it, it was so moving. the words said about your dad and life at his funeral certainly did strike a chord with me. too often we get caught up with all the negatives...when really we should be appreciating those around us and what we do have. thank you for sharing those words and what your dad means to you. x

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  20. Amanda your Dad sounds like he was a wonderful man, very similar to my grandfather.....while I haven't lost a parent losing my grandfather who I was very close too was painful and even after 17yrs I miss him every day but I can still here his voice in my head..I can still feel his whiskers on my cheek from when he would hug me and I can still hear his yankee way of talking and remember the way he loved being around people (must be where I get it from)......you will never forget your Dad or the things he did or his voice....the pain will ease with time but the longing to see him will always be with you just as I long to see my grandfather again.......take care and just keep telling your girls what their pop was like....my guys were very young when my pop died so they don't really remember him but they know him from the stories I've told them about him.....all my love to you and family....xo

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  21. Amanda..this is such a beautiful post and i hoped it helped you a little to process this moment in time...those words from the funeral are beautiful and so true.
    I watched my partner go through the grief of losing his Dad and understand what it means to remember his legacy...many hugs to you xxxx

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  22. thinking of you and your dad amanda. it sounds like he was a truly caring father and you felt very loved, that's wonderful!

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  23. Wow, what a beautiful post. You have brought tears to my eyes and it is only early. Those words are so very true. That age is so young.

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  24. Thinking of you at this time. A beautiful post that I think your dad would have felt so proud of you to read.

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  25. Aaah, that is a sweet remembrance of you dad. So sorry for you loss, he was young. You can treasure him and remember him young. That is one thing about early out...I wish your family well.

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  26. Oh Sweetheart, I'm just catching up on your posts. Tears are trickling down my face for you. I wish I could reach through the screen and give you a huge hug. You know I *get* where you're at. I will be in the same boat in a month's time. Thanks so much for sharing those wonderful words. I'm going to print them off. J x

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  27. I feel very emotional after reading that. What an awful way to lose your father, I'm so sorry. No wonder you feel the way you do each anniversary. The words spoken at his funeral are very wise. My husband was saying something along those lines to me today, strangely. It sounds like your Dad was a wonderful man. Lots of love to you.. Rachael xxx

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  28. I feel your pain - my dad also died suddenly of a heart attack five years ago....I also posted about the anguish.
    He would surely be so proud of you:)

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  29. I'm a bit late to this sorry. What a devastating way to lose your dad. And what a special relationship you had with him. So sorry. xo

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  30. Also a bit late to this but wanted to say thinking of you and your dad sounded so lovely xx

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  31. Oh Amanda, I'm just catching up on your last few Posts and I'm now in tears. What a beautiful Man your Dad must have been and you are so blessed to have had someone like him in your life. I'm still grieving over my grandmother (who was like a Mother to me as I grew up with Dad) and I dread her first anniversary coming up in a few months. But to lose your Dad at such a young age....he would be so proud of you. Thanks for sharing. Melxx

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