Now your gone.....

It is now 2 & 1/2 weeks since my beloved Grandad has been gone. He passed away. I am still needless to say very sad. Unfortunately my Grandad, William James Owen Lawley (mainly know as Owen or Oaker) had been ill for over a month with chest infections and kidney troubles and spent the last month both in and out of hospital. Regrettably his last few minutes were in hospital, I know he would have so loved to pass away peacefully in his home town, Cleaobury Mortimer in Shropshire where he spent the almost all of his life from birth. It was pneumonia that took him in the end. Although I'm sad and will miss him everyday going forward, I am relieved that he is now peaceful and I am sure, he is WD40'ing the pearly gates as we speak!

So my first post is dedicated to the man that was liked by so many. A loving, strong and great husband, devoted, firm but fair Father, a guiding, supportive, knowledgeable and kind Grandad and a fabulous, fun and giving friend. The turn up to his funeral confirmed his popularity. The church was full of all his family and oldest friends, even acquaintances who he had met over the years, who knew him by reputation (always good of course).

My Grandad was a great man, and will stay that way in all of hearts and minds forever. Always willing to give everything to help others, and had strong opinions on right and wrong. He had a smashing sense of humour and never took life too seriously. So I am told, he was a fantastic footballer, even in later life he could give the younger generations a run for their money in a kick around.

He was very much a man of resources, never able to sit still, he loved working with his hands and never would shy away from a bit of hard work, ensuring a stable upbringing for my Father and his Brother. He will mostly be remembered tinkering in his shed, making and mending. He was a man of simple ways, never extravagant, just enjoyed the simple things in life...growing your own veg and salad, making furniture, making good use of what those had discarded, if you needed something no matter how obscure he would have one saved away somewhere!

He would always be the man to go to for advise, whether it be DIY, money or general life...he would always have an opinion!

Most of all to me he was the best Grandad and friend a grandchild could have and I am sure my Brothers and Cousins would firmly agree. He was like a second Dad to us, raising us along with our lovely Nan when our parents were working (which was most of the time to bring in the money). Me and my brothers lived next door to them and spent all of our summers, weekends and after school with them and our cousins. We have many happy memories of this time.

For me it is still hard to believe that he is gone. I live in the south of England and my family live in the Midlands, so for me it seems like a bad dream. Though in my mind I know he is no longer with us, sometimes my heart still imagines him alive and sitting in his arm chair with a cup of tea in hand. On occasion reality hits me and I cry. I cry because I will never see him again. I cry because I never truly got to say goodbye and sometimes worry that he would think that I didn't love him, because I respected my Nan's wishes and didn't visit him as he was dieing in hospital. ...

....But deep down I know. I know he was proud of all of us, loved all of us and knew how much we appreciated him and loved him in return.

I know that he is watching over us, in the wind, trees, every cloud, every rain drop and every falling leaf. Rest in peace Grandad.