Happy Birthday Dad – I Miss You…
August 12, 2009 by Anna Farmery
Filed under Bereavement and Children, Building Memorials
Today – the Glorious 12th as we know it in the UK – is my Dad’s birthday. 
Dad was a wonderful gentleman who is missed very much from our lives. The years go by since we lost him from our lives but I can tell you, he is never far from our minds.
I had the privilege – and it was a true privilege – to speak at the funeral on behalf of my mum. I wanted to share with you today a little of what I said
“…As he did fall asleep there were fireworks to be heard and seen outside the hospital as if the world was celebrating his life and saying a spectacular goodbye of their own. Somehow so fitting that a Dad who was humble in so many ways, left this world to such a glowing tribute.
It was driving my mum home that night that the answer to one of the world’s great riddles suddenly became clear…’Why on earth would any parent name their newborn son, Horstine??’
You see, I suddenly understood what gran and granddad had realised on 12 August 1924 – something that we would all see later…that the bundle of joy they held was no ordinary little fellow…this baby was going to be an extraordinary human being with an extraordinary love of people and deserved an extraordinary name. Somehow that name that had led him to have to explain it so many times, suddenly meant so much to me.
But he will and should be remembered for his gift for invention, and his incredible gift for relating to people. In a world full of stresses and strains my Dad had the ability to always find time for his colleagues, friends and family. He had a compassion for the underdog, always trying to help people and seeing the good in them. He just wanted to help anyone he touched the life of and for that Dad, I cannot tell you how proud your family are of you“
I know this is a long excerpt – and I won’t quote the whole of it, much to your relief I am sure! – but I wanted to remember Dad on this day.
Dad, I wasn’t the perfect daughter in so many ways but I love you, I miss you and of course each day I keep that promise of looking after that lady who stole your heart almost 50 years ago. Sleep well xx
Dear Anna,
What a lovely tribute to your father. I know from previous posts that your father meant a great deal to you. My heart goes out to you tonight.
Also, thank you for mentioning the Glorious 12th. Coming from Canada, I have never heard of this before. I had to know all about it so I checked out the origin. What an interesting celebration.
I love that we all come from different parts of the world and yet we all can relate to each other so well. Again, my thoughts are with you and you mum tonight, Anna.
Leslie
Thank you. I remember being so nervous before making the “speech”. We had to wait for a month whilst a post mortem was done and during that time I kept having the recurring nightmare that I would clip the coffin as I went by, it would fall to the ground and Dad would be there….it was awful!
On the day you have never seen anyone so careful about walking to the front…but do you know when I was there I was so calm, no tears…..because suddenly I knew that this wasn’t about me it was about Dad…it was his chance to say his thank you’s. I said everything that Dad would want to say, I felt so proud because the church was packed…and overflowing…and it was one thing I could do for Dad.
He was such a huge influence you are right, and I honestly wish I had spent more time with him instead of being so career focused….yet he was so proud of my career…I will always be grateful to be there during that last month and to help him leave this world with as much dignity as possible.
Mum has been OK for the last 5 yrs…yet this yr she has shed a few tears…funny no reason why. But we have each other
Thanks Leslie for your kind words, you really are such a dear friend – strange I know, but you are