R.I.P

R.I.P. David Dingwall.
Uncle David, Grandad David, Dad.

(Died Wednesday 31st July in his sleep).

My family structure & relationships are complicated. It never was complicated or an issue with you. You were always there for me, guiding, inspiring, helping, loving, protecting. Never once hit me or shouted at me in anger; that wasn’t your way.

You were content with what you had, what you could do and the people around you. When things kicked you down, you picked yourself back up and got on with it, redundancy(wrote a letter to MD of another firm and got a job somewhere else), a stroke (went through recovery and retirement and adjusted), even having your leg amputated you still kept on going.

When Coreen arrived in my life you treated her as (and called her) your daughter in law and loved her as much as you loved me. She loved you back just as much. You were old school, you didn’t go around saying it, but we all knew and didn’t need you to say it.

When our kids came along and called you Grandad for the first time your heart melted. You loved them unconditionally and they loved you. You proudly watched over them, protected them and helped them grow and learn as you did with me into the lovely people they are today.

Part of you lives on in them and I’m forever thankful they got to spend their childhood growing up with you in their lives almost every day.

For the last ten years or so as you got older and frailer it got harder and harder for you to plough forward and so it was our time to step up and look after you. All those hospital trips, appointments, shopping, odd jobs, whatever we could do to help and keep you at home we did what we could.

Sadly, even with everyone’s help that wasn’t enough. Once your leg was off you couldn’t get home and the last three years have been a slow downwards spiral to the end. We’re saddened you are no longer with us, but also relieved you are no longer in pain or suffering.

You are both together now in whatever comes next, hopefully with your pal Ron laughing and joking as you used to.

Thankyou for everything.

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