Eddie
leaving32 total reviews
Comment from sibhus
Sad, but touching story. Some times, I wonder if it such a good think to live a long life. First your family and friends die off, and then your children and their friends, who became a type of extended family, and then, if you live long enough, your grandchildren. As time goes by you're slowly forgotten, till you pass away and people attend your funeral out of obligation. I have had several older friends over the years and it's interesting to watch them with their children, it's if they are several people. The person you know, in their later life, the parent they were, the parent they became, the friend of their youth, the friend in their middle-age, to each person it's like the are a totally different person. A well written story that was an enjoyable read, and I'm sorry for your loss.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Sad, but touching story. Some times, I wonder if it such a good think to live a long life. First your family and friends die off, and then your children and their friends, who became a type of extended family, and then, if you live long enough, your grandchildren. As time goes by you're slowly forgotten, till you pass away and people attend your funeral out of obligation. I have had several older friends over the years and it's interesting to watch them with their children, it's if they are several people. The person you know, in their later life, the parent they were, the parent they became, the friend of their youth, the friend in their middle-age, to each person it's like the are a totally different person. A well written story that was an enjoyable read, and I'm sorry for your loss.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for the kind and thoughtful response. Everyone deserves a little dignity and respect. It should never be a chore. We are experience one another in different ways at different times. A long life can be a sad one. I just hope I brightened his day up a bit along the way. Much appreciated.
Comment from ElPoetry001
Excellent
Your reward will be great, for you have answered the request that many men and women neglect.
On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"
Wonderfully written, reminiscences of a time when you were alone, with a person who needed to be shown that he was remembered.
Taking the time to listen to someone, is a gift to them, when their thoughts, hopes, and dreams are listened to, often repetitiously, by a person who is interested and affirming.
You are working towards the ultimate prize that no one will achieve by money, talent, awards, or personality, alone. A person must be a "caring listener."
My Wife is a [laity] Carmelite--religious--and is in the Arimathea group--they attend funerals, to make sure someone is in attendance--. (Bible) Saint Joseph of Arimathea New Testament a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, who obtained the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion and laid it in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).
What you have sown you will reap; a good way to be remembered: "He cared."
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Excellent
Your reward will be great, for you have answered the request that many men and women neglect.
On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"
Wonderfully written, reminiscences of a time when you were alone, with a person who needed to be shown that he was remembered.
Taking the time to listen to someone, is a gift to them, when their thoughts, hopes, and dreams are listened to, often repetitiously, by a person who is interested and affirming.
You are working towards the ultimate prize that no one will achieve by money, talent, awards, or personality, alone. A person must be a "caring listener."
My Wife is a [laity] Carmelite--religious--and is in the Arimathea group--they attend funerals, to make sure someone is in attendance--. (Bible) Saint Joseph of Arimathea New Testament a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, who obtained the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion and laid it in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).
What you have sown you will reap; a good way to be remembered: "He cared."
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for this great and thoughtful response to this memoir. The affirmation is appreciated a lot. I just wanted to write this for Eddie and for me. He deserves more recognition than he received. Much appreciated
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Well it is very plan to see you do care and that is a lot to be said about a person in this selfish introverted world we are living in now. A very sweet well-written story about your friend Eddie. God bless you Gareth. :<) Nancy
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Well it is very plan to see you do care and that is a lot to be said about a person in this selfish introverted world we are living in now. A very sweet well-written story about your friend Eddie. God bless you Gareth. :<) Nancy
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for your generous response to this piece. Even 'care' is moving more towards a business aspect these days with 'clockwatching' and so on. I just felt the need to write this for Eddie and myself. He deserves remembrance for a long life lived, and the service he did. Many thanks and as always, much appreciated.
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You are so right Gareth
Comment from Spitfire
Yipes! This used to be my biggest fear--that no one would show up for my funeral except immediate family. Cremation and a private service is the answer. If you invite someone and they don't come, you're asking for disappointment. This is a touching story and shows your sensitivity. I remember the impersonal sermon at my nephew's memorial service, but he did have around fifty people plus a huge bouquet from the Lightning's, Tampa's famed hockey team, who invited my wheelchair bound nephew to drink for the Stanley Cup.
I wish you had gotten up and told your memories of this man.
Of my extended family, I was the only one to speak about her.
A beautiful, evocative story that's sure to place if not win.
Hugs,
Shari
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Yipes! This used to be my biggest fear--that no one would show up for my funeral except immediate family. Cremation and a private service is the answer. If you invite someone and they don't come, you're asking for disappointment. This is a touching story and shows your sensitivity. I remember the impersonal sermon at my nephew's memorial service, but he did have around fifty people plus a huge bouquet from the Lightning's, Tampa's famed hockey team, who invited my wheelchair bound nephew to drink for the Stanley Cup.
I wish you had gotten up and told your memories of this man.
Of my extended family, I was the only one to speak about her.
A beautiful, evocative story that's sure to place if not win.
Hugs,
Shari
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks, Shari. I had to write this for him, and for me. It was very recent. I am a professional carer and I like the conversing with the people I care for. Many come in, do the job and then go without much talking. Don't know how they can. He was a warm, funny and friendly man who deserves remembrance. Thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated, as always.
G
Comment from livelylinda
giraffmang: you are a good person. You do not see the elderly as rubbish to be ignored and disgarded. They are not useless but, rather, a walking/talking history book with many years of experiences to share with those willing to listen. Continue listening and writing their stories. livelylinda
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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giraffmang: you are a good person. You do not see the elderly as rubbish to be ignored and disgarded. They are not useless but, rather, a walking/talking history book with many years of experiences to share with those willing to listen. Continue listening and writing their stories. livelylinda
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for your comments and encouragement. I love my job. I have never done anything else except care for others since I started full time employment. I can't see myself doing anything else either. Much appreciated.
Comment from Sis Cat
An excellent and eloquent story--one that is familiar to people who had attended small funerals and wondered about their own mortality and who would show up for their funeral. Your voice is simple and direct, telling the story of not only of Eddie's funeral, but, more importantly, of his life so that we have a picture of him through the vivid details you wrote. I love how you have that twist ending in which you imagine your own epitaph reading "He Cared."
A fine entry in the What's Your Story? contest. I wish you success.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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An excellent and eloquent story--one that is familiar to people who had attended small funerals and wondered about their own mortality and who would show up for their funeral. Your voice is simple and direct, telling the story of not only of Eddie's funeral, but, more importantly, of his life so that we have a picture of him through the vivid details you wrote. I love how you have that twist ending in which you imagine your own epitaph reading "He Cared."
A fine entry in the What's Your Story? contest. I wish you success.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for the great review, and your thoughts on the piece. I just felt it was important to voice this, for him. It was very recent. He was always appreciative of the care he got, even though we are always 'on the clock'. Much appreciated.
Comment from robina1978
Excellent photo that complements your story perfectly. It is so sad: somebody in your care dies and in the two months you came daily, you never met any relative. Made you think about how your would be. Good entry for the contest.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Excellent photo that complements your story perfectly. It is so sad: somebody in your care dies and in the two months you came daily, you never met any relative. Made you think about how your would be. Good entry for the contest.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for your response to this memoir. it was very sad indeed. Much appreciated.
Comment from jpduck
There was some excellent use of English in this, I thought. For example:
'Another little stab of pain to add to the day.'
and
'Every errant thought, and fleeting memory, from those left behind keep the departed alive.'
Some typos and spags (* *=insert; [ ]=delete):
'but yet you are all connected.' (You don't need both 'but' and 'yet' -- they both perform the same function. I would delete 'but').
'with Eddie's smiling face -- the one I knew -- imposed over the top' ('imposed' doesn't sound right -- almost forceful. I feel 'inlaid' or 'merged' might be better).
'Eddie ha*d* only been admitted to hospital a week or so before'
'before he slipped off his mortal coil' (this is a misquotation from Shakespeare's 'To be or not to be' Hamlet speech. The correct original is 'shuffled off this mortal coil'. I feel that if you are going to use it, you should use the exact words.)
'giving the mourners time *to* ponder and remember'
'and those 'Damn Yanks' coming and stealing the wom*e*n'
'and I hope it is thus.' (Change the full stop to a colon).
'no one else from the care company I work for turned up either.' (Delete the 'either', as that implies you also didn't turn up).
Adrian
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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There was some excellent use of English in this, I thought. For example:
'Another little stab of pain to add to the day.'
and
'Every errant thought, and fleeting memory, from those left behind keep the departed alive.'
Some typos and spags (* *=insert; [ ]=delete):
'but yet you are all connected.' (You don't need both 'but' and 'yet' -- they both perform the same function. I would delete 'but').
'with Eddie's smiling face -- the one I knew -- imposed over the top' ('imposed' doesn't sound right -- almost forceful. I feel 'inlaid' or 'merged' might be better).
'Eddie ha*d* only been admitted to hospital a week or so before'
'before he slipped off his mortal coil' (this is a misquotation from Shakespeare's 'To be or not to be' Hamlet speech. The correct original is 'shuffled off this mortal coil'. I feel that if you are going to use it, you should use the exact words.)
'giving the mourners time *to* ponder and remember'
'and those 'Damn Yanks' coming and stealing the wom*e*n'
'and I hope it is thus.' (Change the full stop to a colon).
'no one else from the care company I work for turned up either.' (Delete the 'either', as that implies you also didn't turn up).
Adrian
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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As always, very much appreciated. I have got all those now. Need to organise my time better for more thorough proof reading, in future! Your thoughts and input are very much appreciated, Adrian.
G
Comment from scd41
Funerals often turn out to be pensive reminders to the attendees about their turns to be in the coffin some day. It is perfectly ok for a person who knew the departed man hardly for long to observe and comment on the paraphenalia for the occasion. You have narrated the proceedings of the ceremony in a realistic and impersonal way. I liked your epitaph.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Funerals often turn out to be pensive reminders to the attendees about their turns to be in the coffin some day. It is perfectly ok for a person who knew the departed man hardly for long to observe and comment on the paraphenalia for the occasion. You have narrated the proceedings of the ceremony in a realistic and impersonal way. I liked your epitaph.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for taking the time to read this and for your thoughts. Much appreciated, as always
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Some people, including this guy's own Daughter, and I would probably use that term very loosely to describe her and her actions, just don't seem to give a rat's behind about anybody but themselves. Sad state of affairs of this ole world we now live in. Well written and described the scene in depth. Write on.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Some people, including this guy's own Daughter, and I would probably use that term very loosely to describe her and her actions, just don't seem to give a rat's behind about anybody but themselves. Sad state of affairs of this ole world we now live in. Well written and described the scene in depth. Write on.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this piece. Much appreciated
