Dad

So I am sitting here tonight, you could say a little bit emotional. 😔 You could say maybe just sad.

Now before I explain the sadness I would just like to say thanks to all of you who have encouraged me to keep writing my little blog. Really it meant a lot. And lo and behold here I am 😊 and if you want to tell me to “feck off”, than feel free. No offence will be taken. 😊

Now tonight I was going to talk about my chemo journey, I went through the key bits with my daughter ( she told me that I was depressing her, so to stop talking), the same girl who is the strongest 15 year old I know. But I suppose the reminders scare my girl so I stopped taking. I felt bad. But I know that my georgous Sarah will read this and be proud of her mammy. She has seen me at the most vulnerable times of my life, was my ” Love Island” side kick, always encouraged me, and to this day if I am under the weather makes me laugh and smile and be happy.

But here I sit today. And yes I am sad. I am always sad, but also so happy thinking of my dad, the most fantastic times with my dad watching the game, on T. V, at the pitch in Waterford City Rugby Club, or in Landsdown Road many moons ago, sippin the whisky from a hip flask provided by an English gentleman just loving the game as much as us.

Now funnily enough it turns out that Sarah is a bit of a talent in the game of Rugby. Playing tag rugby in school it seems she was a bit of a pro. 😂 Her P. E teacher was delighted to tell me how good Sarah was at rugby , and that is quite a complement coming from a 7’s player who played for Ireland. Seems Sarah is a natural. And why wouldn’t she be. The game of Rugby is in her blood, in her brothers blood, in my blood. I cannot put into words my love and passion for this game. As a child I dreamt of scoring tries, getting over the line and making that touch to the joy of the crowd. Of course in my day women’s rugby wasn’t really a thing. I wasn’t allowed to join the girl guides, never mind rugby. 🏉

And yes today I was sad, I thought of my dad, he would be sat in his chair, screaming, shouting expletives, pacing the floor and even crying if so fit.( Now that would be Sunday), but the start of the Rugby World Cup would most definitely had had his emotions running high.

And what makes me even extra proud of my dad is the fact that he admired all sports, soccer, hurling, camóige, athletics, rowing, swimming. You name it he supported everyone , all those people working their backsides off, all those people who were just trying to do their best.

Dad always said that it didn’t matter what sport or hobby a child had, once they were involved in something, and once they were happy doing it. That was all that mattered.

So today I sat, had a tear, wished my dad was here, but also clapped my hands and looked forward to the occasion ahead. I can’t wait to sit Sunday morning with my son and daughter and watch our team and talk about how much grandad would have loved this and how much we miss him. How blessed we were to have had him in our lives ❤️