~Dear Dad~
Fifteen years full of tears
Enough to fill an ocean
The thought of you not here
Fills me with emotion
How much grief can a body hold
Before it shrivels and grows old
In my mind the answers there
Forever, I am told
As each year passes by
My thoughts are still clear
In my heart you will never die
Memories I hold so dear
So sleep cherished father
I will wake you someday
For we will be together
And, beside you I will lay
Dad when he was young
For someone who was full of wit, humour and
never short of words to say, well, I'm kind of disappointed that my father didn't say much about
his childhood in our reunion book, other than to say, he had to leave school at the age of 14
because his parents couldn't afford to educate him any further.
In his early days, he drove trucks for Opotiki
Carriers, Opotiki Transport Co, Direct Transport and Opotiki Dairy Association plus, the running of the
dairy farm. I remember when I was a kid, he use to take me and others for a ride with him on
his truck, up the east coast. One of these companies he worked for, use to have a big christmas party
for the kids and santa use to come in on one of the work trucks. From the work yard all the kids use
to jump on the back with santa and go for a ride around Opotiki.
I can't remember too much of his life other
than, on the farm. I know he was right into tennis and rugby and all us kids, were brought-up with either, a
rugby ball or tennis racquet in hand. Alas, none of us went on to be Wimbledon champions or All Blacks *L*
Dad's other passions were betting at the TAB, drinking
and parties. They use to drink and sing all night and it was really great hearing them laughing and singing
with the Ukelele and guitars playing.
One of his favourite songs was 'Endlessly, by Brook Benton'.
Dad worked the farm until he retired and, since none of us were able to
go home and keep the farm going, we decided to lease it out.
Our lil' bro' Brendan is living at the homestead with his family.
The farm was left to the nine living brothers and sisters.
In the small summary I have submitted, not a day goes by that I don't stop thinking of my father
and what he had meant to me and my brothers and sisters. I was so proud of my father for his wisdom, his humour,
wit, caring and loving personality. Mostly, I am so proud to say, I had the best dad in the world.