Sorry if this is a bit O.T.,but I felt that I wanted to record it somewhere.
My Father,who died after a long illness last October,would have been 75 today had he lived.
Tomorrow would also have been my parents 47th wedding anniversary.
No doubt,if things had been different, we would have had a bit of a celebratory shindig today.
Unfortunately, to re-inforce my general feeling of ‘mortality’,I attended the funeral of my cousin (on my Father’s side)last friday.
So,today,I plan to get my mum a bouquet,and I’ll have a couple of pints of Guinness in my local.I’ll also play my Dad’s favourite Irish album-‘Tony McMahon from Clare’.
Re the ‘mortality’ thing-well you’ve got to live for the day,I mean you never know what’s round the corner-Which is why I ordered two Rcrders,Zen-on plastic soprano and Alto in a simulated Rosewood finish,from ‘The Early Musicshop’ the other day!
The loss of a family member, and especially a parent is particularly tough,
but take heart,
because everything your father was, his life, morals, thoughts and dreams are now passed down to you,
use what he has taught you well,
drink to fond memories,
and make life count,
I know we are here for a reason,
and when we depart it will also be for a reason,
the bit in the middle is precious,
use it wisely,
I am sorry for your loss
Regards
David
Here’s to a life rememered,
A birthday still recalled,
A pause, some thought to render,
To own the days of auld.
A wedding anniversary,
Much diff’rent from years past,
A tune for dad… a reverie…
Fond memories held fast.
A time for looking backward,
To think of things once known,
A time to think of here and now,
A time for pressing on.
—Walden
A nice tribute to your Dad.
I lost my own Dad nearly 3 years ago, but he’s still with me every day as I’m sure your own Dad is with you. The good things they gave us never die. Paul
Kevin,
I’ll play tune for you and your mum,
That his life’s sweet rememberance,
will brighten the day.
Enjoy your pint,
For to be sure your dad
is enjoying his in the here-after.
I’m sorry for your loss Kevin. Your way of honouring your father’s memory would give him every reason to be proud of you.
Kevin, my thoughts are with you. My parents are both gone for some time now, and we lost my mother-in-law on Memorial Day. My daughter is in Spain on a high school study abroad trip and did something I found touching. Her grandmother has an extensive owl collection and we’d alway add to the collection when travelling. My daughter got her one in Spain, even though she’s physically no longer with us, to add to the collection and remember her by.
We can’t really hold on to things and people, but we’ll always have them in us.
Best to you, who can look both back and forward with fond memories.
Philo
You do your father’s memory great honor. I’ll hoist a glass to him myself today.
Cheers to the souls departed,
Cheers to the souls left behind,
Cheers to the souls yet to come,
May we each come to know our worth in the circle.
I wish you and your mother the best as you get through this time… the pain will lessen and the brightest memories will come back to the fore.
I’ve lost both parents and a dear brother, with whom I played a lot of music… he is still with us in many ways, and I have fond thoughts for my parents, gaining further understanding of their lives and my own youth as I get older and wiser.
May all their souls find peace and understanding… may we all live our lives to the fullest that we will be missed and have left a good example behind, and may we live in joy now so that we may also do so in the next level… 
What can I say?
The people on this board are some of the finest Folk that I’ve ever ‘met’.
Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and words.
P.S. Mc Mahon,The Man from Clare is playing strong in the background now!
hi kevin,
i remember your post about your father passing away, without hearing you playing the uilleann pipes.
i think he heard you all right. the blessing of the cross is always special.
i’ll be in ennistymon myself, for my best friend’s blessing in october.
i think your mother will be proud, god bless you all there!!