Eulogy

My Dad's the handsome young man sitting on the nose of a Hurricane in the top left of picture!

Eulogy

 

For my Dad Brian ‘Dick’ Pettitt 08.06.1932 " 21.06.2012

 

‘There are some men who should have mountains

To bear their names through time

Grave markers

Are not high enough or green’ (Leonard Norman Cohen)

 

 

My Father was such a man

Who else could manufacture laughter

And weave pure joy

From mist, from smoke, from pain

 From tears, from absolutely nothing?

 

But then

My Father had the strongest arm and heart

Of any man I have ever known

He was sensitive, compassionate

Practical and brave

 

All those who ever met with him

Acknowledged these characteristics

 

But neither they nor anyone here today

Are aware that my Father

Once gave my new shoes from off my feet

To Kevin Brett

When I was only eight years old

Because he had nothing on his feet at all

 

It has since taken me thirty years or more

To come to terms and understand his motives

 

But that was my Dad you see

He always got things done

Quickly and squarely

In a fair and uncomplicated manner

 

So don’t expect these words to be perfect

Or to fill the page of your own individual broken heart

Nor to interrupt your mourning

 

These are my words which reflect my thoughts

And although you are welcome to share them

For a moment in time

They are nothing more than that

And you must arrive at your own conclusions

If you have not done so already

 

Most importantly these words do not come close

To adequately represent

The very pulse of life and love my Father had for life itself

That many of us here I know

Have invariably felt and seen

 

And now more than anything else

I am truly envious of God

Because I know that should he ever need a friend

Or a problem solving

 

A boat building

                                Or a motorbike maintaining

And countless other things besides

Then he no longer has very far to look at all

 

And since we are now each left with individual memories of him

I find myself at every opportunity trying to remember special things like when

 

He took me to the very top of ‘Chimney Rock’ on his shoulders

And showed me that secret place

Where he once carved my mothers name many years before

 

I also remember him lifting a JAP outboard engine

From the bottom of a river bed and raising it above his head like Bobby Moore once held the world cup in 1966 in triumph

And so many other things

 

In conclusion then

As far as I am concerned

My Dad has gone on a scouting trip

To check if the other side

Is all that its cracked up to be

 

And so dear friend

If we don’t hear from him for a while

We shall know that it’s okay

 

Don’t worry about the three bells when you arrive

I know you are in safe hands

 

Peace Now & Love Always

 

N x

 

Author's Note

seven years ago today we said goodbye

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Neville... this is so touching like Angel wings fluttering. My "tears" refuse to leave my eyes...
I have heard the Bells of the Devine. My Father loved Shakespeare... and I am inclined to appreciate Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah... and I also love to hear the Artist "Train" sing the Song he wrote for his Mother when she "passed"-- "Jupiter in her Hair". With all the turmoil in our World... we still can be "touched" by Gentleness. softly, Pat

[Neville]

I can only say thank you and mean it .. there is no other way to say it, is there .. thank you so much for resurrecting and breathing some air on these words of mine dear Pat .. I would be a lie indeed if I said I did not think of him each day 🌹

[C Peril]

Neville, any attempt to convey to you just how much this poem moved me would end up rife with cliché expressions, unfit words. So I say only this... thank you.

[Neville]

thank you sir... a much appreciated visit and then some...... Neville

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

And know we know why you are the man you are so caring and unique -giving for the best of others- you followed in your dads footsteps- wonderful words yet again🌹

[Neville]

Bless you Kelly and I do mean that, what a lovely thing to say... thank you so much... Neville :)

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

And blessings returned a thousand fold🌹

[Neville]

.................... x

[Patricia Wedel]

And seven minutes ago, I read an endearing story of a poets love
for a father with broad shoulders like a tree with branches to
uplift all those who needed to rest in the shade of protection
from unforeseen adversities. We shall never know how rain is
made until we remember the tears that God made to nourish
our soul. A lovely eulogy from a gifted son. truly, Pat

[Neville]

you are far too good for words Pat and far too generous too.... Thank you so much for your lovely review comments, I really do appreciate them... and please excuse my late response, I have been house hunting with my daughter for a few days ..... Neville

[R.E. Ray]

Neville, a perfect tribute to your father... perfect because it’s raw and simple. Such men seem to zigzag, as Emerson references in Self Reliance. But, viewed from a distance, their path is actually a straight line, a true goodness and character. Thank you for sharing this one with us.

[Neville]

I thank you sir and true... Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

I feel you Neville ... reading this for me is so much like sitting with you over coffee or beer and listening .. you needed to say these things without restraints nor conditions that writing may place on us .. of our own accord, of course .. you miss your Da .. you have wonderful memories of being with him ... funny how when these anniversaries of loss roll around .. we never need an alarm clock to remind us .. our mood subtly changes from bright to those gray shades and then it dawns on us ... oh yes .. our dear and loved one passed over this day .. at least that is how it is for me .. i feel privileged to be let in by you in reading this personal .... wonderful tribute to your Da ... he's probably got that motor running up there and hooked it up on a fine skiff or bass boat! ;)
E.

[Neville]

I can not possibly thank you enough Gene and I really, really do mean that my friend... thank you :)

N.

[Chris Shaw]

I can't believe a year has gone since I last read and commented on this fine Eulogy to your Father. Today will be a sad day for you and I feel sure that candles will be lit in his memory. Anniversaries are painful and bring tears. I hope you will be able to recall the happier times and not just relive the sorrow of his passing Neville. Take it easy friend. That photograph is special and yes he was a handsome young man.

Chris

[Neville]

You are most kind. Thank you Chris.

Neville

[Lavi]

Words cannot express how incredible this poem is - and how no doubt your father was as well. Death is not the end, may he enjoy the next one to see if it is worth the scouting trip there, eh?

[Neville]

I am truly grateful to you my friend for the very positive sentiment you have left here for me to find today.... All Good Things to You & Your's, Neville

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Adoring, respectful tribute to your dear father, Neville. I am so sorry for your loss and I am so happy for all you’ve gained from him. Your words are raw, no-nonsense, honest, sad and celebratory. You paint him in all of his facets. And you credit him with instilling the right values in you. I’m sure he is so proud to read your words and see your life from “the other side”. Bravo.

[Neville]

Thank you so very much Annette, much appreciated.... Neville x

[Neville]

Ken, many thank you’s for the most welcome and very kind message, ‘‘tis very much appreciated... I do hope this brief thank you note finds it’s way to you... I am presently working from a failing mobile phone in the middle of rural Derbyshire and with diminishing eyesight ..... Neville