Eddie
leaving32 total reviews
Comment from mfowler
This was a great story to tell, Gareth. Having been to six funerals in nine months, so of very old people and others of souls who passed before what we'd consider normal time, I felt what you express here many times over. These lonely funerals for people who have seemingly lingered longer than anyone else cares to know, are all too common. When you see the heartfelt outpouring of strangers when some popular hero dies, and consider that some get just what Eddie got, you realise how strange the world is at times. I liked how you juxtaposed narrative about the service with reflections on personality and personal feelings about death and life. It made the whole narrative more authentic and accessible to the reader. I thought the conclusion with your epitaph was brilliant and rounded off a sad, but engaging read.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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This was a great story to tell, Gareth. Having been to six funerals in nine months, so of very old people and others of souls who passed before what we'd consider normal time, I felt what you express here many times over. These lonely funerals for people who have seemingly lingered longer than anyone else cares to know, are all too common. When you see the heartfelt outpouring of strangers when some popular hero dies, and consider that some get just what Eddie got, you realise how strange the world is at times. I liked how you juxtaposed narrative about the service with reflections on personality and personal feelings about death and life. It made the whole narrative more authentic and accessible to the reader. I thought the conclusion with your epitaph was brilliant and rounded off a sad, but engaging read.
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for the great review, Mark. There have been two deaths of clients of this company due to 'old age' since I joined. Elderly care is what it is and many of those I care for are terminal. I just try to be happy and available when I'm there. Eddie was such good fun and appreciative. It really was a contrast and I wondered where the celebration was.
Many thanks for the review, and as usual, it is very much appreciated.
G
Comment from Fridayauthor
A very nice piece, very well written, with a show of much feeling. Care givers, so important, are seldom recognized for their true worth.
I had a bit of trouble with the narrator saying he didn't know anyone present, but being able to identify everyone, even cousins. (I'm just being my usual picky self.)
Fine posting!
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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A very nice piece, very well written, with a show of much feeling. Care givers, so important, are seldom recognized for their true worth.
I had a bit of trouble with the narrator saying he didn't know anyone present, but being able to identify everyone, even cousins. (I'm just being my usual picky self.)
Fine posting!
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Recognising someone and knowing them are different things (or knowing who they are). As this is a memoir and not a biography / autobiography it is told with hindsight. Some were identified during the service and I later found out who the others were. On arrival, I knew no one until the neighbour turned up. I had met her once or twice.
Most of the other people I care for, I have met family most family members and have had conversations with. Not so with this family. Hope that clears that up.
Many thanks for the great review, and the generous rating. It is very much appreciated.
Comment from Nosha17
Yes, we are in the minority nowadays, where has all the love and caring gone? To me, it brings joy to be kind to others and it costs very little besides effort. Sincerely written story in memory of your friend, family only turn up at the end to get the spoils. Good message for the reader. Faye
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Yes, we are in the minority nowadays, where has all the love and caring gone? To me, it brings joy to be kind to others and it costs very little besides effort. Sincerely written story in memory of your friend, family only turn up at the end to get the spoils. Good message for the reader. Faye
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Yep, I also have one of my brothers who will probably do exactly the same thing when it is my mum's time to go. Hopefully not for some time yet.
Many thanks for reading and reviewing. As always, it is greatly appreciated.
Comment from Dean Kuch
A very sad and depressing story, however one cut straight from the pages of real life. When we witness first-hand such uncaring emotional detachment from another human being, it does tend to affect us deeply, but only if we have a caring bone left in our bodies. Many don't.
It is in my will that my daughter is to play two Metallica songs at the beginning of my memorial service, and at its conclusion. "The Unforgiven" will kick off the...festivities, and, "Wherever I May Roam" is to conclude the service. My only hope is that I am there in spirit to witness the faces of those in attendance, as well as my beloved Pastor's face, as the guitar riffs and chords knife through the air, taking center stage.
Engraved on my tombstone will be the following:
Construction completed
Sorry for the inconvenience
Thank you for your patience...
Great story, G-Man. I wish you the best of luck in the contest... ~Dean
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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A very sad and depressing story, however one cut straight from the pages of real life. When we witness first-hand such uncaring emotional detachment from another human being, it does tend to affect us deeply, but only if we have a caring bone left in our bodies. Many don't.
It is in my will that my daughter is to play two Metallica songs at the beginning of my memorial service, and at its conclusion. "The Unforgiven" will kick off the...festivities, and, "Wherever I May Roam" is to conclude the service. My only hope is that I am there in spirit to witness the faces of those in attendance, as well as my beloved Pastor's face, as the guitar riffs and chords knife through the air, taking center stage.
Engraved on my tombstone will be the following:
Construction completed
Sorry for the inconvenience
Thank you for your patience...
Great story, G-Man. I wish you the best of luck in the contest... ~Dean
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Many thanks, Dean. It really should be a celebration, especially if you reach a good old age, I think. I know rifts can occur in families but it does feel, to me somewhat hypocritical in the end.
I like your moving on plans. Makes you think doesn't it?
G
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You're welcome, Gareth. Yeah, it does make you think a bit... ~Dean
Comment from Debra White
Hi Gareth :)
I enjoyed your story and I found it to be really well written. Your tone is very engaging and your attention to detail is lovely.
It is so sad how some people are 'abandoned' by their families as they become old and infirm. Marion knew she hadn't done the best by her dad and she knew that you knew it too - she's got to live with that now. Shame... I bet her dad doted on her.
Your response to her shows you to be a kind and compassionate man. There ought to be more carers like yourself.... many 'carers' do not actually care.
I'm going off at a tangent now, sorry, but my granddad died last year - he was in a nursing home for the last 18months of his life as my step-grandma couldn't look after him at home (he had dementia and was also unable to walk.) She visited twice daily, my mum and I visited each week and he was cared for very well by most of the carers. Whilst he was never abused, he wasn't always treated as kindly as he could've been. Two of his regular carers came to his funeral, they were lovely ladies.
Good luck in the contest :) Kindest regards as always, Debra
ps. You should put in your will what you would like inscribed on your stone ;)
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Hi Gareth :)
I enjoyed your story and I found it to be really well written. Your tone is very engaging and your attention to detail is lovely.
It is so sad how some people are 'abandoned' by their families as they become old and infirm. Marion knew she hadn't done the best by her dad and she knew that you knew it too - she's got to live with that now. Shame... I bet her dad doted on her.
Your response to her shows you to be a kind and compassionate man. There ought to be more carers like yourself.... many 'carers' do not actually care.
I'm going off at a tangent now, sorry, but my granddad died last year - he was in a nursing home for the last 18months of his life as my step-grandma couldn't look after him at home (he had dementia and was also unable to walk.) She visited twice daily, my mum and I visited each week and he was cared for very well by most of the carers. Whilst he was never abused, he wasn't always treated as kindly as he could've been. Two of his regular carers came to his funeral, they were lovely ladies.
Good luck in the contest :) Kindest regards as always, Debra
ps. You should put in your will what you would like inscribed on your stone ;)
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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My granny was in a nursing home years ago, and she had money stolen, left in filth and so on. but, there are great places out there and people who really do care. However, there are also those who come to 'do a job' and see it as easy money. I have worked with those who don't even speak to the folk we look after - disgusting. I refuse to work with them, and let the 'bosses' know. (I have been a manager, and it insults me).
Many thanks for the lovely review and your thoughts. Much appreciated.
Comment from alf collier
Hi Gareth. Wow, this is so sad. I know it happens, I worked with people with disabilities for some time, and many were abandoned by family. You have given Eddie dignity, and I thank you for that, on his behalf; he would be appreciative I am certain. this is a simple write, compassionate, elegant and eloquent, and so very caring, alf
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Hi Gareth. Wow, this is so sad. I know it happens, I worked with people with disabilities for some time, and many were abandoned by family. You have given Eddie dignity, and I thank you for that, on his behalf; he would be appreciative I am certain. this is a simple write, compassionate, elegant and eloquent, and so very caring, alf
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Many thanks, Alf. I love what I do, and I try to do it professionally and with great care. By professionally, I don't mean detached as so many people seem to think!
He was a lovely man.
All the best
G
Comment from Scarbrems
Beauifully written. You painted a picture of the funeral for me, and conveyed the emotion you felt so well in such a short piece. I've been away from this site for a long while, and don't recall your work from before (migh be my shocking short-term memory), but I would definitely like to read more of your work. It's also nice to see a fellow Brit.
I'll be writing again soon (I disabled my posts from the last time I was here), maybe when I do, you'll stop by and have a little look.
Regards
Emma
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Beauifully written. You painted a picture of the funeral for me, and conveyed the emotion you felt so well in such a short piece. I've been away from this site for a long while, and don't recall your work from before (migh be my shocking short-term memory), but I would definitely like to read more of your work. It's also nice to see a fellow Brit.
I'll be writing again soon (I disabled my posts from the last time I was here), maybe when I do, you'll stop by and have a little look.
Regards
Emma
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Hi there,
I only joined the site in September 2014, which is when I started writing. I hadn't written anything except reports, risk assessments, care plans and course work since I left school in 1991!
Many thanks for the great review, and for becoming a fan. I love it when that happens! Will definitely drop by.
G
Comment from Bill Schott
This is an important work for our time. I feel I'll be Eddie one day, as many might well be. Our memory, what we leave behind, is only as warm as the body heat we generate in community with others. Still the separation of the old from the young is sometimes a divide that will never be crossed. This is a very good capture of that scene of life we all will all be in.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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This is an important work for our time. I feel I'll be Eddie one day, as many might well be. Our memory, what we leave behind, is only as warm as the body heat we generate in community with others. Still the separation of the old from the young is sometimes a divide that will never be crossed. This is a very good capture of that scene of life we all will all be in.
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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Many thanks, Bill. I do what I do because I actually give a crap. I have been a carer for over twenty years and don't really want to do anything else (except for a bit of writing that is). This was very recent, and I pass Eddies' home everyday on my rounds. I always smile. Lovely man. Don't know what happened in regards to his daughter but don't care. I remember him as he was.
All the best, much appreciated
G
Comment from IndianaIrish
I'm so sorry you're missing your friend, G, and the funeral wasn't the celebration of Eddie's life as it should have been. Your story is well told and the emotion is easy to feel from your words. I'm very glad Eddie had you in his life, and oh how fortunate you were to know him and share his last days with him. I love how you want to be remembered ... for caring. There's no better remembrance than to have loved and given freely of yourself to those you loved and those whose life you just passed through. Your caring heart is evident in the words of your story. Mbeat wishes to you in the contest.
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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I'm so sorry you're missing your friend, G, and the funeral wasn't the celebration of Eddie's life as it should have been. Your story is well told and the emotion is easy to feel from your words. I'm very glad Eddie had you in his life, and oh how fortunate you were to know him and share his last days with him. I love how you want to be remembered ... for caring. There's no better remembrance than to have loved and given freely of yourself to those you loved and those whose life you just passed through. Your caring heart is evident in the words of your story. Mbeat wishes to you in the contest.
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
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I think the worst thing, for me, was that no one else from the care company went to it. No one from the office, not the manager, owner or anything. And then, the 'family' crawl out of the woodworks - nice big house and all. Maybe I am cynical, maybe not.
Anyway, thanks for the great review and generous rating. As always, it is very much appreciated.
G
Comment from c_lucas
To be left in a hospice, or some other facility to die alone. Your post brought out his loneliness and you spent time with him. This is very well written.
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
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To be left in a hospice, or some other facility to die alone. Your post brought out his loneliness and you spent time with him. This is very well written.
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
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Many thanks for the review, Charlie. Always appreciated.
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You're welcome, GMG. Charlie
