Gremlin’s Fireside Chat

We buried Dad today (March 14^th); It went well, and I think he would have liked the well-spring of positive feelings about him as a man, father and friend; To be honest I cannot remember a bad word ever been said about my father – he was just that kind of man. If you had a problem, or was in a dangerous situation you could rely on my father. I think there was around 300 people at the Church in Bohermeen, Navan, and the Lord kept the weather fine.

From a personal perspective I have a couple of “issues� with the service – these were that the priest would not allow me to say a short speech of thanks and some thoughts on my father as part of the service. Apparently people have been slandering others and being disrespectful to the deceased in previous funerals – something I find absolutely appalling and beyond belief!!! It is just not done. The second thing was we could not carry dad from the Church to the grave (100 yards if that) because of a parish circular that said “people have slipped and sued the Church� recently whilst they were carrying the coffin. Health and safety gone mad. To carry the coffin is a privilege and an honour, if you fall over its your fault.

However these are minor things; Dad got a great send-off. Some relatives drove from England to Ireland and back for the funeral in the same day – exhausting to say the least.

As for me, I am not too sure  Da’s departure has not really sunk in yet; I am sure that in a month or so something will trigger a vast outpouring of grief, but at the moment I am numb at the loss and find myself talking out load to him. Goodbye Dad we all miss you.

This post is going to be short since I am very confused, angry, lonely and so very sad.

Yesterday (Monday March 12th 2007) my Father Barry Edward Thomas Leeson died in his sleep at Home in Ardbraccan, Navan, Co Meath Ireland. He did not feel a thing. He was only 69, but looked and acted much younger – last week he was digging drainage ditches in the back garden; he was that kind of man. A wonderful man. No son could wish for a better father and friend. And I miss him so much,

For those who are interested. Dads Funeral will be held at 11am March 14th in Bohermeen Parish church, Navan Co Meath,

Is it two months since my last short post!!!! Must get my act together. Anyway what has prompted me to post this entry is the new series of the British Channel Series called Grand Designs – and boy what a corker and inspiration.

This episode tells the story of Francis Shaw and his wife who bought a Ruined Castle (one of the walls fell down during filming) and converting it into a fantastic I-want-to-live there house in two years and 750 thousand pounds sterling. It took battles with English heritage, Archaeologists, bad weather, a small budget and a life long dream.

Thanks Francis; you had shown me what will, determination and a dream can achieve. Best of luck, I hope you can keep the house.