I have too many shoes

Dad as popeye at a party in the mid nineties Today was my dad's birthday, our birthdays are exactly a week apart so often we shared a joint celebration. Any excuse to have a family get together.  He died seven months before his 60th birthday and regardless of the years that have passed he is still greatly missed.  His name was Jimmy Valentine, he was the kind of person that everyone liked, not a bad word was said about him. Every year we ensure that we are together on his birthday, that we visit and say a little prayer and tell him how much he is missed.  His final resting place is really pretty by a pond and today it snowed so everywhere was beautiful with that first touch of snow.  He loved nature and the fact that around 20 ducks followed us to his graveside, like they were paying their respects rather than looking for bread, seemed like a sign. Our grandmother, my mum, two of dad's sisters, me and my sisters went to put flowers on the grave.  My gra...

It's been over three and half years since I last saw my dad, after he lost his battle against lung cancer.  I miss him just as much today as I did those first few weeks after his death.  Its particularly painful when I am stressed, I forget that he isn't around anymore to talk to, I actually forget that he's dead.  Losing such a close family member is such a tremendously hard and life-changing experience that sadly all of us will go through during our lifetime.  My dad was relatively young when he died, (six months short of his 60th birthday), it seems unfair that he didn't get to live out and enjoy his retirement years with my mum.  This past weekend and week have been painful reminders of how bereavement effects those left behind.   I visited my grandma, who will be 90 next year.  She misses my father so much, due to the early death of my grandfather, my dad helped bring up his younger sisters.  He was a key part of her life that's m...