Every now and then when things are floating along nicely something happens to stop you in your tracks. In the midst of pre-communion chaos, one call did it.
Check-up. Kept in. Hospital stay. Tests.
Day release for the communion, “one of the great days out of my life” according to the message later that night. A rollercoaster of emotions.
A quick (don’t tell Laoise) trip abroad. Whatsapp messages with more bad news, tears hidden from the kids, a lump in my throat.
Months they tell us. So we made plans for those months, a summer at home, we’d fill them with memories (between treatment days).
Everything is touched and tainted and I try to get through but it’s hard. The lump remains.
I smile and laugh, but it rings a little hollow.
We make the most of things and realise then what’s important.
We go about our business, work, play, cheer on teams, sing along to music.
We sort of wonder why though.
Hospital visits, letters from the kids and their much anticipated replies. Letters that will now be treasured.
We decide to live as slowly as we can, to make the most of time.
A great visit, three hours just the two of us, more talking than we had done in years. More listening than I had ever done. I wanted to hear more. That wasn’t to be.
Things don’t always work out the way we think, and months can turn to weeks, and weeks to days.
Faster the messages came, peppered with words like “infection” and “critical”.
And life goes on, lunchboxes, meetings and sidelines.
Then the unforgettable phone call in the early hours. “Come Now!”. I dress quickly and drive, shaking all the way, The Killers come on the radio. Mr Brightside follows me everywhere. There was no bright side this time.
The longest weekend. A party for the six -year-old sandwiched between hospital shifts.
Talking and hugging and chatting and crying. Hugging. We’re huggers now, we didn’t see that happening.
Monday comes.
The longest Monday.
The saddest Monday.
The Monday we said goodbye.
It’s so hard, more hard than we imagined, but we will get each other through. He knew we would. He told us to.
And life goes on, a little muted and tissues close to hand.
RIP Dad.
My favourite blog commenter.
25th September 1949 – 10th June 2019
St James’s Hospital gave us five additional years with Dad, and for this we will be eternally grateful. If you would like to support the work that they do in targeting lung cancer click HERE to donate.
“Like” doesn’t seem like an appropriate response Sinead. Thinking of you and your family and of your children missing their Grandad. That coffee is long over due. Julie x
Thanks Julie, I’ll be down a good bit over the summer so will catch up at some stage
Sending so much love. I’m so sorry for your loss. Xxxx
Thanks Dalia x
Oh Sinead, your utter heartbreak through is post is palpable. A beautiful piece of writing to honour a wonderful man. I hope you find all the strength you need in the coming weeks and months. Xx
Thanks Liz. Taking it one day at a time.
Beautifully written. Thinking of you. Tea and cake when you up for it. All the love. Xx
Thanks x
Beautiful piece, Sinéad. Sending you love and strength at this difficult time. xx
Thanks Sadhbh x
That’s the most beautiful piece of writing I’ve ever read, I’m in tears. I love the bit about becoming huggers. I can imagine. Sending love xx
That’s high praise indeed Andrea, thank you so much x
Sinead, great piece and a fitting tribute in what is a truly hard hard time. Your best commenter would have been proud. Mind yourself and hopefully we get to catch up through the summer.
Thanks Anne x
Beautiful words held together with all the sadness. I’m glad you got that long visit, just the two of you. Thinking of you x
Much love to you Sinead. It is such a difficult time but what a lovely piece even about a sad time. Treasure all the memories. You’ll be in my thoughts as you navigate the journey through your grief.
Such a beautiful well written piece, you’re dad will
Be sorely missed. I’m so sorry for your loss Sinead, see you over the summer xx
Thanks Marian x