Paddy McLoughlin, my grandfather, has passed on. He was 87 years old.
He suffered from Altzimers (sp) for the last 8 years. He was a shell of his former self for the last 7.
As as we can tell, he was 89 years old. He never learned to read or write.
He raised 13 children.
Whjen there was no work in Ireland, he left his wife and children behind and worked on the roads of England, sending his wage packet back to my grandmother and the kids.
He worked hard all his life. he never knew a life of any other kind.
He loved his family. One of his few luxuries was a pint of guinness or two on a Sunday afternoon.
I have no idea what that lifestyle was. I have had the priviledge of steady work and a meal on the table everyday I grew up. He didn’t.
He was the last of my grandparents. I have no more now.
I wont be able to comfort ny mother until tomorrow. It must be the hardest day she has seen today.
there was 13 kids in her family. One passed on earlier this year.
I have prepared myself for this. We have been preparing ourselves for 6 years of this illness.
Tonight was the worst day it could possibly happen.
I’m not a religious personb, but whatever your flavour, please include my family in your thoughts. They can benefit from any possible help they can get.
I havent cried in a long time. I’m crying now for my mother who has sacrificed her time un selfishly for the last 6 years to make sure my grandfathers last days were comfortable.
There are tears running down my face as I type. I’ve never asked for anything before. Please pray for my family.
We can prepare ourselves we feel. We can never imagine what our family is ready for.
I wish there was more I could do.
Tell your family you love them.
I never got the chance to tell my grandfather.