Yesterday I lost my father-in-law Graham to heaven after a short illness.
It is difficult to believe that he is gone. It is difficult to know what to do, what to think. He has already left a Graham-sized hole in our lives and as each minute passes we think of example after example of reasons that make this even harder to deal with. What will we do without him?
As a family we were all very close. I have always been very happy that whenever we’d see my in-laws Graham would greet both my husband and I with “hello children”. It always made me smile. I will miss that.
I believe that Graham is now in a better place, where he is free from the pain and suffering that marred his last months on this planet, where he is at peace. Being a Christian and knowing that Graham was ready to go doesn’t seem to make this any easier, though.
I was going to use this post to record lots of my memories of Graham. I was going to tell you what a wonderful man he was, and how he was liked and admired by so many. How he was a Scout Leader and would sing “Ilkley Moor Bar T’at” at the top of his lungs. How he was a great Christian who cared for others deeply. How he had the most difficult-to-get sense of humour – I never did really know when he was joking, but most of the time I guessed right. How he would just be able to fix motorbikes and cars at the side of the road, and in the pouring rain, while the rest of us looked on. How he was always the one that took the wrong turn at a roundabout resulting in everyone having to stop and wait. How he loved that orange jumper.
But I won’t. What I will say is:
Life is all about the journey. Make the most of yours. Create good memories for yourself and others. Be a beacon of light, for it is our attitude and our actions that make us who we are, for which we are remembered, and for which we are accountable.
Goodnight Graham, sleep well. I will miss you.
Graham Homes, 6 November 1950 – 29 June 2012
Corrine Shimmon
🙂 lovely post Zoe, great tribute xxx
Wendy
Well said Zoe. We’re so going to miss him x
Linda C
((Hugs)) and Best wishes to all the family at this sad time x
Angela
That’s lovely Zoe, will admit it made me cry! Such a sad time but like you said ‘he’s in a better place and free from pain’. Will be missed by LOTS of people all with different memories. xxx
Emma
Beautiful, a really lovely tribute. This last week your life has certainly been ‘some’ journey x
jenni thorpe
I’m so sorry for your loss Zoe, What a mixed week of emotions for you. You’ve written a beautiful tribute. I’m praying for you all to get through this in the best way you can. Take care and God bless. xxxxxxx
Laura
Beautifully written. Thinking of you and your family xx
Cheryl
So sorry for you, sending hugs xx
Zara
beautiful tribute Zoe,
I admit its made me cry, Graham was a fantastic man and will be very sincerely missed. thinking and praying for you all at this time
God Bless
xx
Dave
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. His humour and caring personality will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
God Bless xx
Splodz Blogz » A Very Important Motorcycle Ride
[…] I will be riding my F650GS alongside LincsGeek, Veronica, Edward, Rick and Paul, approximately 2,000 miles around Great Britain in memory of my father-in-law. […]