In Loving Memory
I'm never at a loss for words, but I'm struggling to write this blog or any blog. My Father passed away in April and was hospitalized for seven weeks before that. I stepped away from writing and work commitments to spend all the time I could with him. Anthony was away most of that time, so it was a juggle, but moments from that time will live in my heart forever. I've always shared important moments on my blog, and it didn't feel right not to share a blog dedicated to my Dad before I jumped back into sharing everything else, yet finding the words or a way to acknowledge it has been challenging. I thought I would say what I wrote for his service and share a few of my favourite pictures. Maybe one day, when I'm ready, I'll write about end-of-life care and what that looked like for our family. In the meantime, if you've experienced it or are going through it now, please reach out to me.
Eulogy for Alan Campbell
Our family would like to thank everyone who came today to honour Alan and the beautiful life he lived. I know he wants me to tell you all about the wonderful care his beautiful wife Donna provided him, Throughout their marriage, but especially during times of sickness. These last seven weeks have been tough, but My Mum never left his side. She cheered him on, loved, supported, and babied him. In his final week, you could see his restlessness when she went home for a few short hours each day and the happiness on his face when she returned. All of us kids are so thankful and proud of you, Mum.
He left us all with something unique. The boys have his patience, and even though he lives thousands of miles away, I can see that Ryan is a wonderful father and he has his musical talent. Dad could fix anything, and so can Tyler. I am great at writing a speech, and like him, I prefer that things stay in their place. Kelly is artistic. Amanda spent hours with him at the field when she was younger, sharing an admired love of planes, and she's the family taxi. He didn't get married until he was in his 40s; with My mom, it was love at first sight. Age was just a number. They had their ups and downs, but their story is my favourite love story.
Our Father is proof you are never too old to try something new. In his 40s, he returned to school and received a degree in technology from Devry Then, in his 50s, he enrolled in the Ontario College of Art. He worked various jobs northern telecom, the hobby shop, the Toronto auto auction, the renaissance festival, and Chudleighs; all the way into his 80s, when he wasn't at work, he was a master arm scratcher, a storyteller, but most of all a creative. He loved building model airplanes, spent years intricately building his beloved ship, painting with watercolours, drawing, pounding the boogie woogie on the piano, and in later years, painted by numbers, colouring books, and sticker by number. He was always gentle and patient. No creature left our house harmed like the mouse he spent hours catching while Tyler, and my mom, stood on the table screaming their heads off... okay, I was screaming too. I will never know how he stayed calm, but he caught that mouse drove it to a field, and set it free.
He didn't travel the world by planes, boats, or trains. He travelled through his books and had an imagination like no one I've ever known. A cloud was never just a cloud; it was an elephant or an airplane; he had a knack for making something out of what seemed like nothing. He loved to be busy. His patience has always amazed me. It was very rare for him to lose his cool. He was the good guy always, and if he knew he couldn't be, he would say go ask your mother.
The only thing that gave him more joy than his kids was when his grandkids came along. When I was pregnant with Bennett, he told me he didn't know what a miracle it was until he was older. First was our sweet Griffin. We were all crazy about him. Then came his gorgeous giggles, Makayla. Morgan and Papa are kindred spirits and spent many hours together; what two-year-old can sing the theme song to all in the family? He was nicknamed climbers. Morgan Jewel came into our family when Amanda married Andy and fit right in. Then came Kenny, she always had him laughing, Ashlynn, his little wiggles came a year later; then sweet Jasmin, and finally Bennett.
He was always happy to extend a hand to his Son In Laws, Wayne, Anthony, And Andy. Arent you boys lucky he agreed to let you Marry his girls?
He was a kind man, a good friend, a happy neighbour, and the best Daddy. Our hearts ache knowing life will never be the same without him, but we are thankful for the years of love and laughter. Just before he passed, he asked Amanda to leave him with a memory; while she was sharing one with him, I couldn't help but think of the one he was leaving with us.
Daddy, we will miss you every single moment for the rest of our lives and always wish that you could have stayed forever young. I want to leave today the same way he left his Father of the Bride Speech in 2008.
May the road rise up to meet you
may the wind always be at your back
may the sun shine warm upon your face
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again
may god hold you in the palm of his hand
