~A Tribute To My Grandfather~
My grandfather passed away on 26 September 1999, one week after his 70th birthday.
He will forever live in my heart...
On 19th September, it was his birthday and we had planned him a family party
in Athens. He would come from Cyprus with my grandmother two days before.
I was too excited because I hadn't seen him in 17 months (due to my
parents). But just before it was time to take their flight, my grandma
called and told us that my grandfather had a heart attack. We immediately
went to Cyprus and stayed there for some days; then he was transferred in
Athens in a much better hospital. I was just 14 at the time and my parents
wouldn't let me visit him, although he was able to recognize everyone,
talk and even make jokes. On the 25th we all went to the hospital. That
was the closer I've been all this time. My parents didn't let me go in his
room. I wanted to go, but then I thought: "It's ok; I'll be with him all
the time when he comes home, and we'll throw a huge party and we'll celebrate
his birthday and everything will be so great! I just hope he gets well soon."
At 3:00am that night, they called us from the hospital. My grandfather had
passed away.
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West.
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W. H. Auden
My grandfather and me when I was two
Time does not bring relief
Edna St Vincent Millay
Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year's bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go - so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, 'There is no memory of him here!'
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.
France 1988
Tears In Heaven
Eric Clapton
Would you know my name, if I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same, if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in Heaven
Would you hold my hand, If I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand, if I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in Heaven
Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you beggin please
Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure
And I know there will be no more tears in Heaven
My brother's christening
18 June 1955 (My grandparents' wedding)
