Neil MITCHELL Obituary

An Irish Blessing
Always remember to forget,
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember,
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget,
The friends that proved untrue.
But don't forget to remember,
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget,
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember,
The blessings that come each day

We cannot share a sorrow,
If we have not grieved a while
Nor can we feel another's joy,
Until we have learned to smile.

Today marks one year of not having you around. 0630 on the 25th of November 2017, and my life changed irrevocably.

A year seems such a long time, and yet, no time at all.
What is in a year? A lot of tears, scrapes, bruises, and a wound in my heart that has not yet healed.

There have been moments of complete and utter frustration and despair times where I thought I could never live a full life without you next to me, cheering me on. But whilst times of sadness are many, there have also been so many wonderful points as well, though it pains me you haven't been here for me to talk to you about them. I have spent many a day and night being social, pulling myself out of my shell, spreading my wings as it were (and, indeed, spreading my real' wings in the sky!). I have improved myself physically, and worked on the emotional side, never once forgetting to stop and think about you, and how you would want me to live my life.

In this last year, I have learned what the true meaning of family' is. Family are the ones you choose to have around you. The ones who make themselves available to talk, who let you use all of their tissues when you show up without warning, who make you go to the gym to release those wonderful things called endorphins, who encourage you to smile and remember all of the good times you and I were so lucky to share. They are the people who tell you to come and have dinner with them, so you aren't alone, who tell their kids to run riot with you (and make you do squats with them on your shoulders), so you can experience the unadulterated joy and zest for life they naturally possess within. They are the ones who bring you dinner and flowers when you don't feel up to feeding yourself, and the ones who sit there and watch you eat so you don't starve!

I am totally humbled and awed by the actions of so many people I call my family in this last year. You have made what has been the most awful experience in my life bearable, the possibility of living a full life without Dad a realistic idea. Thank you so very much to you all. I love you and will always be appreciative for what you have done for me.

I will repeat what I said at the funeral last year; there is a saying that a person has two deaths: the first when they close their eyes for the final time, and the second when their name is last spoken aloud. Remember those you have loved and lost always and speak their names as long as you yourself live. I repeat the name Neil James John Mitchell every single day and will until I too have had my turn.

Dad, you are always there in the corner of my mind, and the bottom of my heart. I can hear you cheering me on, telling me off, laughing at me and giving me advice each and every day. Life will never be the same without you, but I truly hope that wherever you are, you are proud of me, and that everything I do with my life honours you and your wonderful, blessed name.
You are still and forever more my rock and my strength, my strong giant softie. I love you so very much.

Cha bhithidh a leithid ami riamh.
(His equal will never be amongst us again.)

Your loyal and loving daughter.
xxxx

It is coming on three months now, Dad, and yet the pain is still so raw. I think of you every day, and still yearn for another hug and to hear your voice again. I love you so much, and cannot bear the thought of you not being here with me.

Please look after me, from where ever you are.
Love xxxxxxx

Dad, I miss you so very much. It has been two weeks without you already, and yet it still feels like I saw you just yesterday.

I love you so much, it hurts my poor heart to think I will never hug you again.

Fly high, Dad. I am always thinking of you.

xxxxx