17 March 2010

On this day

79 years ago, my Dad was born in the Back of Beyond. The eldest son, but not the eldest child. He sadly died 7 years ago last September and today is always a bittersweet day as I used to get a St Patricks Day card as a joke instead of a birthday card and then write in it ps Happy Birthday.

One year I took him out to a St Patricks Day dinner at a local pub and introduced him to the delights of Guiness, quickly followed by a long weekend in Dublin to try the real stuff. He was so impressed with it after the trip to Dublin that we arranged a 10 day touring holiday in Ireland starting off (and finishing) in Cork but included Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway (my favourite), Offaly (briefly), Tipperary and finally Waterford before we caught the ferry at Cork. We covered a little over 2000 miles and had a laugh and a joke with every stay at the b&b farmhouse we had chosen; One of my favourite memories was the tour of the Jameson's distillery and it is from the distillery reserve that I will raise my glass to my Dad tonight xx

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

5 comments:

Kathy G said...

It's always bittersweet when an event reminds us of the passing of someone we love.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you.

Fire Byrd said...

What a lovely memory to have of a holiday spent together.Hope your St Patrick's Day is not too sad as result.
x

Kath said...

A lovely tribute to your much-loved Dad. He will always live on in your heart.XX

Jo Anne said...

What a lovely post for your Dad x

Annette said...

I agree with Kath, it's a lovely post for your dear dad.