Charlene Walsh
North Presentation SS, Farranree, Cork
Oh my God! How can this be? You're lying to me. It can't be true. I remember
thinking all these thoughts the day my best friend was taken from me.
I remember questioning God. How could you take him? Why? I thought only
bad things happened to bad people, but I was wrong.
Friendship is the close bond between people. To me a friend is someone
who is always there for me, someone who listens to me and gives me some
friendly advice.
My best friend was my father.
Some people think of a father as someone they are supposed to obey and
keep secrets from, but not me. To me he was my friend and he always treated
me that way. He trusted me.
I remember as a child walking home from school through the lashing rain,
freezing with the cold. When I reached home my father would have my pyjamas
nice and warm for me and a hot bowl of soup waiting on the table. We would
cuddle up by the blazing fire and watch television together. I enjoyed
listening to his heartbeat and he would tell me that there were little
men inside beating a drum and dancing.
My father was an Army man and so he was away from home quite often. When
he went overseas for six month duties we all missed him very much. Three
years ago he surprised us by coming home unexpectedly for the New Year
and we were all thrilled. That was the last New Year we had with him.
My dad was such a gentle, warm, loving person and while on duty in the
Lebannon he appeared on T.V. kneeling down giving food to the children.
Six weeks after he returned from Lebannon he died.
The shock will remain with me for the rest of my life. I remember sitting,
staring at him in the Funeral Home thinking he was only fooling us and
that he would jump up any moment, but he never did. He was buried with
full military honours, and even though there were hundreds of people at
the graveside I felt so alone. My dad was the person who was always there
for me when anything went wrong and now he was dead and I can never explain
how that made me feel.
I have many wonderful memories of the times we had together. Every Sunday
without fail, we would visit his mother's grave, a bottle of water in
one pocket and a bottle of holy water in the other pocket to sprinkle
on the grave. We would play "I Spy" games and have long chats
about the wonders of life while walking out to the cemetery. Then I walked
with him, now I walk to him.
Nothing in my life could ever replace the friendship we shared. You never
realise what you have until it is gone, so cherish every moment you are
with your family and friends. I miss him very much.
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