Our lovely Dad. We'll miss you every day.
Our Dad had a beautiful way with words, he spoke thoughtfully and intentionally. There was no better time spent than having long conversations with him, listening to him recount stories from his childhood with his parents - our Mam & Dad Kelly - and all his brothers & sisters whom he loved dearly. He would talk about his life experiences as a young man; & how he came to meet and fall head over heels for our lovely Mum. Our Mum & Dad's life together is an enduring love story that began more than 60 years ago.
Our Dad would often talk about his love for our Mum, his family and his faith, which was deeply personal to him and brought him great spiritual comfort.
When our Dad loved, he loved unwaveringly, unconditionally, and without judgement. He had deep empathy and compassion for others. He was quietly charitable, giving generously to CAFOD and priests in training. After retirement, he became an avid gardener. He especially loved to plant white flowers so they could catch the moonlight.
Whenever there was a task that we anticipated might take a while - it might have been a gardening project - like cutting branches down to manageable pieces, a school essay, or just getting back up on your feet... he would advise us to do it "little bit by little bit". This is a phrase he recalled from the local workers who he hired to work on demolition contracts in South Africa. Dad taught us the wisdom of that approach; if we do things "little bit by little bit" and keep on going, the result would be the accomplishment of great things, of things we may have thought impossible upon first glance. Just start; little bit by little bit. And most importantly, - keep going.
Keep going.
Goodnight, God Bless, Dad. We love you. Rest in heavenly peace.
Sarah
16/10/2024
