9 November 2009
21:2332733It was hard enough to lose my Father last year when I was middle-aged (just!) and him in his 80s. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like for those poor war widows and their children. The least we can do is honour them, and we need to do considerably more than that.
Roger - sorry you are suffering. Gout is much underestimated in the pain and discomfort stakes.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
11 November 2009
14:0232827Another good turn out today,even with the wet weather,good to see so many forumites there again.Well done
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
11 November 2009
14:1532828Yes it was,but the police should have stoped the cars E,T,C just for 2mins.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
11 November 2009
14:2532829I heard the last post just before 11, switched off the radio and sat quietly for 2 mins before getting back on with work... Not that there's much I can do at moment, security scans running and a file repair programmes....
11 November 2009
16:2132830There isn't the respect there used to be - I always stop (or slow down if I am in the car) and wait for a funeral to go past when I see one. So many cars just speed by, or people just carry on talking or laughing and don't acknowledge it. When we buried my Dad in Ireland, people stopped and crossed themselevs, or simply stood with heads bowed, all along the long route. It made such a difference.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
11 November 2009
17:2532831I know exactly what you mean Bern (my Mum's side of the family are Irish.) I always bless myself and bow my head when I see a hearse with a coffin pass by. Many was the time in Ireland we simply joined on the end of a funeral procession that was passing my Aunt's door without knowing who it really was until we got to the church. That reminds me of a funny story, When I lived in London I passed an interesting looking church. I went inside and discovered a funeral was taking place. Having always been told you never walk out of a church during mass or funeral once you were inside, I found a seat at the back and when the service finished I made my way to the door. One of the deceased's friends or relatives asked me how I knew the dead guy and I admitted I didn't, and hastily added I didn't want to just walk out during the service. I was more concerned that in my usual black attire hiding at the back someone may have thought I was a secret mistress - lol! Another person thinking I was family informed me the buffet and drinks would be at the pub across the road - no I didn't go!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 November 2009
18:0632841it was a better turnout than i expected, hats off to our vic who hobbled along in the rain to get there.
clearly in discomfort he set an example to us all.
incidentally, it was all beamed live on the big screen.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
11 November 2009
20:2632853I watched the service broadcast from Westminster Abbey .It was very good .Well Howard you would not get me looking at the big screen for love SMILEY:or money .
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
11 November 2009
20:3832854sue,whats up with you.you could have patronized dickins cafe by having a cup of tea and a toasted teacake while watching the big telly.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 November 2009
20:4532855i had not realised you were against the big screen susan, did you say anything at the time about it?
Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
11 November 2009
20:5132856Did'nt see you Howard at service, but know you went down, see your leg puller Brian, nice service and quite a good turnout
Sheila
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
11 November 2009
20:5732857and it was nice to see you as well sheila,it was a good service.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 November 2009
21:0032858you were dead opposite me sheila, trouble is there was a big crowd around me, i was with vic and people were trying to get his autograph.
was that nigel's mum near to you?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
11 November 2009
21:0632859Yes it was Nigel's Mum Howard,i saw her inside the Council office when I whipped in there for coffee and cake,lovely coffee cake almost as good as Sheila's Gypsy Tart
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
11 November 2009
21:1532860Howard thank you for that it was not my autograph they were after, just trying to get me to pay my bills
.
As for my legs I will be glad when They are done,I want to go for my boxing day dip
but even if they are not I am going in,but will have you and some others holding the rope to get me out again
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 November 2009
21:3732862you will have no shortage of volunteers wanting to hold a rope attached to you vic, i can assure you of that.
do you still have the fez from last year?
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
11 November 2009
23:1732865Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
19 November 2009
08:3533433There is not a day goes by that we do not remember, as yesterday another of our brave men gave his life in Afghanistan, this poem was sent to me and I would like to share it with all the forum, it brought tears to my eyes,
Daddy's Poem
----------------------
Her hair was up in a pony tail,
Her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
A dad who never calls. There were daddies along the wall in back,
For everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called
A student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
A man who wasn't there.
'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
Another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day.'
The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
Who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.
'My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
Since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories
He taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
'Cause my daddy's al ways with me,
Even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart'
With that, her little hand reached up,
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was right.
And when she dropped her hand back down,
Staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud.
'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far.
You see he is a British soldier
And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
And taught Britain to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement,
She witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
They saw him at her side.
'I know you're with me Daddy,'
To the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
Of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it,
For each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose.
And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
By the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
That heaven is never too far.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,023
19 November 2009
10:5733445THat was very moving Sheila .I felt a little tear falling .I can understand what that little girl went through .My younger son is getting married next year and recently had to visit the Vicar re arrangements for the wedding .He was telling me about the questions the vicar asked and of course some of the questions were difficult to answer .My son said "Mum the Vicar took awhile to realise Dad died when I was Two "The reason i share this with you all on the forum is to say everyone at some time or another loses a MUm,or Dad .Different circumstances maybe but still very sad .ON occasions such as a family wedding i usually look at the flowers and find great comfort .When a Dad dies young he misses out on all those precious milestones .Starting school,graduation days I have been to four ,weddings so the list goes on .Life goes on and sometimes its easier not to dwell on sad occasions and look round to see how you can make a difference to someone else .
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
19 November 2009
11:1733449That poem Sheila tore at the heartstrings and brought a tear to my eye, very moving, it brings home to us the suffering which wives and children are feeling in these troublesome times.
