Eulogy

My Dad's the handsome young man sitting on the nose of a Hurricane in the top left of picture!

Eulogy

 

For my Dad Brian ‘Dick’ Pettitt 08.06.1932 " 21.06.2012

 

‘There are some men who should have mountains

To bear their names through time

Grave markers

Are not high enough or green’ (Leonard Norman Cohen)

 

 

My Father was such a man

Who else could manufacture laughter

And weave pure joy

From mist, from smoke, from pain

 From tears, from absolutely nothing?

 

But then

My Father had the strongest arm and heart

Of any man I have ever known

He was sensitive, compassionate

Practical and brave

 

All those who ever met with him

Acknowledged these characteristics

 

But neither they nor anyone here today

Are aware that my Father

Once gave my new shoes from off my feet

To Kevin Brett

When I was only eight years old

Because he had nothing on his feet at all

 

It has since taken me thirty years or more

To come to terms and understand his motives

 

But that was my Dad you see

He always got things done

Quickly and squarely

In a fair and uncomplicated manner

 

So don’t expect these words to be perfect

Or to fill the page of your own individual broken heart

Nor to interrupt your mourning

 

These are my words which reflect my thoughts

And although you are welcome to share them

For a moment in time

They are nothing more than that

And you must arrive at your own conclusions

If you have not done so already

 

Most importantly these words do not come close

To adequately represent

The very pulse of life and love my Father had for life itself

That many of us here I know

Have invariably felt and seen

 

And now more than anything else

I am truly envious of God

Because I know that should he ever need a friend

Or a problem solving

 

A boat building

                                Or a motorbike maintaining

And countless other things besides

Then he no longer has very far to look at all

 

And since we are now each left with individual memories of him

I find myself at every opportunity trying to remember special things like when

 

He took me to the very top of ‘Chimney Rock’ on his shoulders

And showed me that secret place

Where he once carved my mothers name many years before

 

I also remember him lifting a JAP outboard engine

From the bottom of a river bed and raising it above his head like Bobby Moore once held the world cup in 1966 in triumph

And so many other things

 

In conclusion then

As far as I am concerned

My Dad has gone on a scouting trip

To check if the other side

Is all that its cracked up to be

 

And so dear friend

If we don’t hear from him for a while

We shall know that it’s okay

 

Don’t worry about the three bells when you arrive

I know you are in safe hands

 

Peace Now & Love Always

 

N x

 

Author's Note

seven years ago today we said goodbye

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Neville... this is so touching like Angel wings fluttering. My "tears" refuse to leave my eyes...
I have heard the Bells of the Devine. My Father loved Shakespeare... and I am inclined to appreciate Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah... and I also love to hear the Artist "Train" sing the Song he wrote for his Mother when she "passed"-- "Jupiter in her Hair". With all the turmoil in our World... we still can be "touched" by Gentleness. softly, Pat

[Neville]

I can only say thank you and mean it .. there is no other way to say it, is there .. thank you so much for resurrecting and breathing some air on these words of mine dear Pat .. I would be a lie indeed if I said I did not think of him each day 🌹

[Ken Simm.]

Simply beautiful tribute to a man and father you were blessed to have.

[Neville]

Thank you Ken, your visit here and kind message is much appreciated.... Neville

[barleygirl]

Beautiful job of drawing a masterful tribute in dynamic words for a beloved man. Great details to help us “know” him for a few minutes. Your affection & adoration is palpable . . . I’m happy for you to have such an experience of good fathering (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

I think my feelings for the Man do in fact transcend love and maybe adoration is more apt a term... Bless ya dear Margie.. I may not be around for a while so please take care Neville x

[barleygirl]

You will be missed . . .

[Neville]

........................x

[DIVYA]

Dear Neville,
Many thoughts ran through my mind as I read your words. I was touched, awed and even sorrowful at the inevitable parting that awaits us all. Yet what held me most was the absolute regard and deep love that you have for your father. It just shines through! Keep smiling for him, always.

[Neville]

You are indeed most terribly kind my friend and I am truly grateful to you for the very moving thoughts and words you have left for me here.. they really do mean a great deal.... Neville

[DIVYA]

As we deal with the pain of loss, we must never forget to share the blessings and joy our loved ones brought to our lives, as you did here. Thank you so much for sharing....

[Neville]

Thank you Divya..... Neville

[Stella Armour]

A wonderful, wonderful tribute to your dad Neville, i am sure his good nature and characteristics have come through into you, if there is another spiritual level after this one i am sure he will be building a bridge for you to cross ..

[Neville]

Bless you dear Stella, what an utterly delightful thought......many thanks, Neville x

[Stella Armour]

always welcome Neville x

[Neville]

.....................x

[Mrudula Rani]

It will be 6 years on 21 of this month, since he has gone on his next journey. More than usual your father is in your thoughts, and you miss him a lot. Where ever he is a large part of him will be with you.

[Neville]

Yes, I know & of course that is very reassuring my dear friend... and many thank you's for reminding me, tis much more appreciated than I can say.... Neville

[Mrudula Rani]

Dear Neville, As I read all the wonderful things about your father, more and more I could see who influenced your personality. All the best .

[Neville]

both my eyes are crying real tears.....and true.. words originally by John Otway.... Neville x

[Onlyme]

Wonderful heartfelt eulogy for your father. From a loving son. To a proud father. Upon heavens cloud looking down towards you and your family. With a loving smile and even bigger admiration and love.

[Neville]

Do you know what, that is a smashing thing to say Dee and I sincerely thank you for it.... Neville

[Onlyme]

Now you make me blush. And your most welcome just telling the truth Neville.

[Neville]

well you are very kind indeed and I'm gonna thank you again, just because I can..... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

A fine eulogy here Neville. Your Dad, a very special man. You have given some wonderful examples of how he lived his life and what he stood for. Giving your new shoes away at the age of eight to a boy who had none on his feet, you would only have understood as you grew older. It must have been a puzzle at the time. That place on Chimney Rock where he carved your Mother's name. It tells the reader a great deal about him and it is evident how much you miss him today. Nearly six years and I bet there hasn't been a day that has gone without you thinking of him. Writing from your heart

Chris

[Neville]

Thank you Chris, I do so very much appreciate your kind words... I was to post it again on the 21st but am not going to be around much between now and the end of the month...Kind Regards, Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Take care .............

[Neville]

will do....

[R J Askew]

Lovely job. It is a fine reflection of your dad that he won such inspiring words. He comes across as an honest, capable and compassionate man. He made good memories. Respect.

[Neville]

Cheers Ron, well and truly appreciated. AGT's N

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Jesus Neville this is a dark tribute to someone very significant in your pyche. You have a way of using the narrative style to paint an eloquent picture in brutal tones.

[Neville]

No, Neville 4t's Pettitt, named after an incredibly brilliant guy whom I truely believe should have a mountain to bare his name through time. A bloody big one mind you. Anything less just simply would not do. All Good Things, 4T's