In Memory of My Dad

In memory of Aubrey E. Hares who was called to the Lord on Thursday 18th June 1998.

Here are the words I spoke at his funeral on Thursday 25th June 1998.

The last time I really saw my dad, was at my wedding, earlier this year; where he stood, as I do now, and made the most beautiful speech which touched the hearts of everyone.

Now I have the privilege of doing the same for him.

My dad, father also to Peter and Simon and Aubrey to the rest of you, was a kind and gentle man, who enjoyed the simple life and always let you be what you wanted to be. But the one thing he would like to be remembered for was his passion for the skies. Not only was he in the RAF as a young man but he followed his dream by engineering and building countless model gliders and planes. He would always stand in awe of the Buzzard's as they soared effortlessly above the moor and he tried to imitate their skills with his models.

So now he has left the confines of his earthly body, his spirit is free to soar on the winds, and I hope, that ever you should see one of these majestic birds, that you may stop for a moment and know in your heart that he is right up there with them.

Praise be to God.

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

It may be 24 years ago but he will always be special to me.

My Dad - Father's Day

This year Father's Day will be particularly difficult for me as it coincides with the day my Dad died, back in 1998.

On top of that my friend is having her son dedicated too.

The pain eases but it never goes away.
The memories are sweet though, so a couple of photos:-

Back in the day - holding my pushchair I do believe.


On the farm with his trusty tractor behind him.

Love you DAD.

They say...

... you pick a mate not unlike you father.

Well whilst going through my photo's for my last post I came across these

Firstly one of my Dad holding my bouquet just BEFORE I got married.











And THIS one of my husband holding my bouquet AFTER we got married!

What a pair!

My Dad

To mark the anniversary of losing my Dad, I light a candle at the local Catholic Church and ponder a while in their Garden of Remembrance.

This yearly vigil began when my son was in the Montessori Preschool in the church hall there back in 2002.

My Dad passed away a couple of years before this in 1998, soon after giving me away in marriage.


Here are a few photos of my Dad and me.






I look about 1yr in this one so probably 1965.













At my graduation in 1987.







Walking me down the Aisle in February 1998.

Poignant for a number of reasons as this was the last time I saw him before he died. Well we did pop in on our way back from our honeymoon, so that was definitely the last time. We had a cup of tea and a Kit-Kat and I thanked him for a wonderful speech at our wedding and hugged him too. Love you Dad xxx.