Mrs Gaby L

My wonderful father was with us My father died on 10th October 2003 at the age of 90. He was the most wonderful man, truly loved by everybody who knew him. For his funeral I had chosen one of his favourite pieces of music, the Barcarole from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. His two grand-daughters were a constant source of pride to him, but due to the ever increasing influence of the dementia which started taking hold of him ten years previously, his memory was of course not what it may have been. But he still had bright "sparks". My oldest daughter, Miriam, had completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in the summer of 2003, but my father had never been aware of her success (although he had been of her bronze and silver). I went with her to St James Palace in November to receive her award from the Duke of Edinburgh. Because I wanted my father to be with us, in spirit at least, I wore my kilt (made of ancient Duncan tartan - my father's name being Duncan) and matching long scarf. I noticed that there was a brass band playing outside of the Hall where the presentations were to be made. We were then all ushered into the Hall, the doors started closing, a gentleman explained the procedure to us once the Duke of Edinburgh arrived etc. The gentleman walked out, the doors continued closing and the band played its last tune. As those doors closed, the music they played was - the Barcarole from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman - my father was truly with us. I sat there, looked at my kilt, looked at my daughter, in the front row, expectantly awaiting arrival of Prince Philip, and knew my father was truly with us. It brought tears to my eyes, but happy tears.