The last picture of Grampa George and I taken in September 2007.
On Thursday the 29th of January at midday Irish time, my grandfather George McPhee passed away in Canada. Today is his memorial service in Vancouver Canada, and because I cannot be there I have chosen to say my farewell here on my blog and share it all with you my readers.
Although for most my life my grandfather has been thousands of miles away, he has always been in my thoughts and in my heart. There was always a phone at least once a month which made the distance seem so much smaller. My fondest memory is of Grampa George calling Auxilia hostel in Maynooth where I spent my first year of university. Imagine a hostel with 42 girls and one phone (this was before mobile phones) and my grandfather calling from Canada always caused a great stir for him and for which ever one of the girls answered the phone; he always like to chat to the ladies.
His words of "hey sweetie" when ever I called will always stay in my mind for the rest of my life. He had a particular way of making you feel like the most person in the world while teasing you terribly at the same time. I used to often imagine that had we lived in a different world, a world where chiefs still ruled the day, my Grampa George would have made the best of them all! People would have flocked to listen to his stories and sit at his feet with his great presence. He had a temper, but then so do I - it is the McPhee temper - one where you snap one moment and want to bundle the other person in your arms the next. We all have the same toes - the McPhee toes - now I am rambling, but its funny the things you think of when a person is gone. I guess having lived all over the place, knowing where you come from becomes so very important. And I saw so much of me in Grampa George.
I remember all his stories of his time in the UK during the second world war; especially last year when I was in Brighton, where he had spend some time. He always said he would have liked to come back to Europe, but I guess life just runs away with you and there should be no regrets. I was so touched the day that he said he was so proud because there had never been a Dr McPhee before (I know I still have a while to go), and we laughed when I explained that I would never be able to operate on anyone.
We almost lost him in May 2007 while I was travelling in Cambodia, but I was so lucky that he made it through and I had the opportunity to go to Vancouver in September 2007 to spend 5 wonderful days with him and Charlotte. i treasure those memories so dearly today.
It makes me so sad that I can no longer tease him, or have him tease me, but he was suffering and no one deserves that. His serious face that would so easily break into a smile. his kindness to the entire family, although it is must certainly not conventional, are memories that will last far beyond his death.
On this sad day, I fight my tears and celebrate his life, a life that was filled with joy because he made sure it was and thats a lesson I treasure. We all make choices, we all make mistakes, but we live with them and we make the most of the circumstances. My only regret today is that I cannot be with Charlotte, who is one of the most amazing women I have ever met with a heart of pure gold - and those are hard to maintain. But she knows I am there in spirit, and that I cherish her always.
So please take a moment with me to celebrate my grandfather Mr. George McPhee, and the wonderful 87 years he lived.
The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap
Because I could not stop for Death --
He kindly stopped for me --
The Carriage held but just Ourselves --
And Immortality. This is a favourite quote of mine by Emily Dickinson.
