Today is all about family and friends, about having those nearest and dearest close to you and reminding yourself why they are your nearest and dearest.
Enjoy it, enjoy every moment of it.
Reflect also on the times when the nearest and dearest were different, friends and family no longer with us and take a moment to smile at the memories.
On Sunday last, I received a phone call from the hospital who told me that I should make my way to Dunoon.. I’m glad I went, in one sense, because I got to share the last hour of my father’s life with him, my brothers and my mother.
He passed away at twenty to nine that night.
There’s an empty chair in his house today, and no doubt everyone will look across at it and think about him.
We all should be doing that, and also relishing each moment we have with those who we want to be with, and those who want to be with us.
We can never know if it will be for the last time, so we must take each moment as it comes and treasure it.
Not just today, but every day.
From all of us at Etims, may you have a wonderful Christmas, and may you have many moments now, and indeed every day, that you can look back later on and smile about.
Merry Christmas, Ralph!
Ralph,
Sorry to hear of your loss, hope you & your family feel the love & comfort from the few words we can share with you.
God bless all of you today!
🙁
Ralph
Sorry mate sorry you have to go through a horrible time in a season built around family and goodwill. And especially sorry for any disparaging remarks. You’re a good lad I know this without meeting you Wishing you strength and happiness in the coming time.
All the very best to you and yours Ralph at this tough time and a very Merry Christmas to all Tims. Thank u for the diaries.
Prayers to you and yours comrade, on the passing of your father.
Ralph, a lovely message. Warm wishes to you and yours and I’m very sorry for your own loss. Peace and good health to you in 2020 and beyond. And thank you for all your hard work!
I was looking at our Christmas table this year and really missing my mum. Happy Christmas folks.
Merry Christmas.
Having gone through similar at this time of year, I hope you do make the time to enjoy those around you, and it finds you all well. Enjoy the rest of this year and raise a glass to yir Da on Hogmanay. All the best for the coming years.
I’m nearly 70 and still miss my ma and da who died many decades ago. Younger Tims, love your parents while they’re here.
Devoy just like you my dad passed away a couple of years ago and I miss him particularly at this time of year. I lurk on this site most of the time and love the banter – do I have to pass the Hun test? – Anyhoo I still have my beloved mum and as you say pal, enjoy them while they’re here. To all in Timdom isn’t it great to be us! May you and yours have the greatest of times
A very warm, meaningful message, Ralph. It is meaningful for me this year as my brother’s life slips away.
Be reassured that your father will always be with you, as mine is.
Rebus
Sorry for your troubles Ralph. Merry Christmas.
All the best to all our Celtic Family over X Mass,sorry for your loss Ralph,Love and Respect to everyone,❤
Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family,
I second that sentiment, make the most of the time we have with each other. Merry Christmas
Sorry to hear of your loss Raplh Malph and thanks for taking the time to share those meaningful words at this time. Blessings be upon you and your family. And upon all you Celts out there. Hail hail one and all.
You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family Ralph. May your dad rest in peace.
Thank you for taking time to produce such a poignant diary at this difficult time. You’re in my thoughts mate.
I just took a minute away from doing all the dinner madness and hoped there was a new diary. I’ll go back to it now and look at it differently. Thanks Ralph, I’ll add a wee prayer at Mass tomorrow. God Bless.
This Christmas night, it’s important to remember the courage & sacrifice of the hunger strikers, their families & friends.
Gone but not forgotten!
UP THE ‘RA
Indeed Monti, I couldn’t agree more. Even ‘the Wicked Witch’ ultimately acknowledged the astonishing bravery, determination and fortitude of those brave, young Irish men and their families. A lesson for all in globally troubled times. I’d never have had the balls to do what they did; any Tribute regarding An Gorta Mhor, would be improved with reference to those brave young men. In essence, the AVOIDABLE hunger and starvation of men, women and children in and around the mid 19th century, has carried on through ‘The Troubles’, through the Hunger Strikers and still exists today with the neglect and suffering of our starving families and homeless. Voting every few years has failed, and failed miserably….but there ARE solutions.
Sorry for your loss Ralph
Deeply sorry for your loss mate
Sincerest condolences Ralph.
“There’s always going to be a last time; we just don’t know when it falls.”
I’m very sorry for your loss, Ralph. I know it’s a cliche, but stay strong for those around you. I am sure that everybody on here will stay strong for you.
Best wishes.
A number of years ago i was a regular on a wonderful site called ‘ random thoughts ‘ a blog by the late Paul McConville.
I remember being on the train up to Dundee to work, when i logged on to random thoughts & learned Paul had passed, i was stunned beyond belief.
I had never met this man but i felt at home on his site, it was a fantastic place for the craic & i had some quality battles with a couple of zombies who were allowed on just to remind us we were human.
The ETims Diary is the closest i have felt as i did on random thoughts, i can only say to Ralph this, you are very appreciated & life is a better place with ETims in it.
Thanks Ralph for all you do for us & i hope you feel the passion comrade!
As Tommy Burns said ” They are there & they’re always there ”
We are here for you Ralph, all of us!
Sorry for your loss Ralph. Lovely sentiment in the diary.
Keep strong and Hail Hail.
So sorry for your loss Ralph. Draw strength from your Etims family at this most difficult time.
Merry Christmas.
Ralph, didn’t know until just now about your dad.
Condolences to you and yours, and Best Wishes for the New Year.
YNWA Pal, HH.
Sorry to read this, but what poignant words during this sad time. Wishing you and loved ones strength at this time….