Dad
we said goodbye to you too soon, but in the words of one of my favourite authors, "A man is not dead while his name is still spoken". So, whilst we will all miss you, you will always be part of our lives as we will never not speak about you when we get together.
For someone who left school so early without any qualifications, you taught us all so much. Compassion, understanding, calmness and forgiveness (especially when I was being a bit of a d**k)
You taught me that family comes first, but in balance the family you create is more important than the one you are from.
You taught me through all your struggles that if you are determined you can always get through, and nothing ever stopped you from working to provide for your family. I didn't realise until much later that this was the lesson of a work ethic - do what is in front of you, to the best of your ability each time and you will go far. This was a lesson no money could buy, but could buy you money enough to survive - and perhaps if you're lucky a little more for the nicer things.
Most of all though, I cannot thank you enough for the gift you gave me and all of our family. That of unconditional love.
Gone but never forgotten.
RIP Dad.
Philip McDonagh
23/10/2024
