For Daddy
During his travels Dad had gained a number of nicknames. Whether you knew him as Edward, Aidan, Mac, or Dad you knew that he had plenty of knowledge to share and many a story, especially if he had a brandy in his hand. I'd like to share with you some stories and memories of mine.
Dad was the greatest man I knew. He taught me many life skills that stand to this day, and help to shape the man I am. He taught me to drive a car, to drive a nail, and to drive the women in my life up the wall.
When we lived in England I remember him running across the road a grabbing a toddler that was sure to be hit by an oncoming car, and carrying them to safety. He also told me of the time in his childhood when he lifted a wooden horse cart off his brother who was being crushed. I used to think sure he must be a hero if he could do that, and I was always amazed at how strong he was that he could move such heavy objects, all with the use of a long plank of wood. It wasn't later until I understood the laws of levers that I realized he was only coding me about his super strength, but he was still my hero.
He loved DIY and always had a project on the go, something I loved to help him with. Even more impressive than the work he did was the fact he learned how to do this work with out making a mess as the boss would complain. The boss being Mam. He would often joke that Mam would make some foreman on a job site.
If you ask most people to describe my Dad you can guarantee they would talk of his love of reading. He once told me he read at least one book a week since he was 18, and I often knew him to even read 3-5 in one week. I did the math recently and at a minimum he has read 4,576 books. In fact he was reading right up until the point where he went to the hospital on New Year's Day. Most books he read he would say were like "Shit from China" - "far flung". But every once in a while he would read a good one, which meant it was definitely excellent, and a book I promised myself I would read.
My Dad was an amazing caring Father. I remember this one time in Dromin being sick with the flu. The house had this odd hallway that didn't fit, I looked to my side and there sitting in the hallway was my dad reading. He stayed with me all night, and I remember falling asleep as my Dad sang the song "two little boys". This song was always dear to Hannah and I as it is the song he would sing to us to soothe us, and will be played at the end of our service today.
In his last hours while I sat with Dad in the Lourdes hospital where he was born. I thought nobody, including himself could have imagined that a fella from Killaneer would travel the world, working in civil engineering, building bridges, roads, train tracks in England, U.A.E., Hong Kong, the Philippines then back to England and Ireland again. Not to mention the places he travelled. He build or owned homes in England, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Ireland, and turkey. I think it was very fitting for him to come full circle and have his last breathes be in the Lourdes where it all began, before returning home to the house he build here in Kilsaran.
I miss you Dad more than you can imagine. I know with time it will get easier. However my love for you will never diminish and our memories of you will fill our hearts until we meet again.
Please keep us safe as you look down on us with a book in your hand, and a brandy to warm your spirit.