Comments on: Ashes To Ashes

By: Quinn

Quinn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:02:15 +0000

Thanks Steve. Your poignant posts on your father were much in my mind when I wrote this. If I came even close to expressing my thoughts in the way that I feel you did, then I’d think that this post was truly worthwhile.

My best wishes to you, your mum, grandchild, and all.

Take care,

Andy (Quinn).

By: Occupiedcountry

Occupiedcountry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:18:44 +0000

Sheesh Quinn, I’ve only just read this. I lost my Dad two years ago and it’s like a kick in the balls, punch in the solar plexus and a pulling away of the rug of certainty all once. You’ll get through it and emerge stronger. I’m going through the pain of a Mother with rapidly disappearing mental faculties now…..all these experiences make us stronger. I have just become a grandfather and the connections and sense of life carrying on are a marvellous emotional pillow to rest my head upon. Yours too one day. Chin up.

You’ve got my email if you want to talk more.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:36:10 +0000

Thank you, Donald, and thank you once more to everyone who has commented here and elsewhere. I know how hard it is to find words at such a moment, I understand that it is so much easier not to, and so I do appreciate all those who have still found the time and the words to write to me anyway. It really does make the struggle I had in writing this post feel in some way worthwhile.

On behalf of my Dad and myself, thanks again.

By: DonaldS

DonaldS — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:00:24 +0000

Hi Andy.

Only just found this, searching around to see what some “old friends” have been up to. Really sad to read about your dad, but also heartening to see you manage to be eloquent at the same time. Maybe it wasn’t intended as such, but what you’ve written is an exceptional tribute. If either of mine can manage something as touching for me, I’ll consider myself pretty blessed.

Hang in there mate.

donald.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:23:04 +0000

My deepest thanks to everyone who has commented, both here and privately by email. Your kind words and thoughts are very much appreciated, and I sincerely value the time and emotions that you have invested in each of your personal responses.

Thank you, one and all,

Andy.

By: Michael Dennis

Michael Dennis — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:26:36 +0000

That *is* how it feels, and, while the event I was referring to was different to your story, you write eloquently about the strange concessions and adjustments one makes when loss pierces life. There are countless negotiations and compromises threaded through the ordinary, mundane act of carrying on. People who mean something to us don’t lose that meaning in their absence; the difficulty for those of us who remain is trying to anchor that meaning, when the object of it is gone. That’s testament to their significance and a test of our own capacities.

There’s another conversation to be had about the function of blogs and how much of oneself to lay out in such a forum, but your post above is truthful and heartfelt and as good an answer to that question as the one you pose yourself about what you want or need to write about your dad. These simple, warm and real thoughts express his meaning. There is no better testament.

By: Sissy Bepa

Sissy Bepa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:04:56 +0000

I’ve been waiting for you to write something.

What a lucky man your dad was to have a son that loved him so much
and what a lucky son you are to always have a so loved dad.