Memories of Dad

Today the 19th December 2021 would have been my Dad’s 94th birthday but sadly he passed away 4 years ago, a day before his 90th birthday. In the week before he died I was able to visit and be with him. As my body was still adjusted to European time I offered to sit with Dad during the night so that my sister could get some much needed sleep. I would lay on the couch next to his bed and hold his hand, a treasured memory. My niece Breanna had put a playlist of golden oldie songs on Dad’s telephone so that he could listen to some background music. Sometimes during the night I could hear him softly singing along or tapping with his hand to the beat. Whenever I hear some of these songs they bring me back to this moment and to memories of my Dad, golden memories. One song in particular was very poignant ‘If ever I would leave you’ by Robert Meadmore from the musical Camelot, hear are the lyrics - ‘If ever I would leave you, it wouldn't be in summer. Seeing you in summer I never would go. Your hair streaked with sun-light, your lips red as flame, your face with a luster. That puts gold to shame. But if I'd ever leave you, it couldn't be in autumn. How I'd leave in autumn I never will know. I've seen how you sparkle, when fall nips the air. I know you in autumn, and I must be there. And could I leave you running merrily through the snow Or on a wintry evening when you catch the fire's glow If ever I would leave you, how could it be in spring-time Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so Oh, no! not in spring-time. Summer, winter or fall. No, never could I leave you at all. No, never could I leave you at all.’ Sadly Dad, you had to leave us, but now Mum is with you again and your memories will always live with us in our hearts.