Matt Hobday
20-10 2020 16:24
wrote:
Dad was one of a kind. While we were growing up he always gave us the freedom to explore and find our own path. He would never judge or criticise, and he never belittled us or made us feel bad for whatever gargantuan mistakes we may have made along the way. He was always there to pick us up when we fell.
Not once did he give the “hey son, let me give you some advice” speech. He didn’t give advice, instead he showed us how to live by example. He was someone who walked the talk.
He was an exemplary human, always thinking of others, tender and selfless right up to his last days here.
I remember him taking us swimming and teaching us how to float on our backs. I still can’t do it as well as he could. I remember going down the beach with him and him showing us how to make amazing sand castles with our hands from wet sand, which would call attention from anyone walking past.
The way he stood his toast up in the morning to cool it down, like a house of cards. The cups of tea, made with loose tea in the teapot. Teaching me how to play chess, and eventually beating him at it (although I suspect he let me win).
I remember how much he loved our childhood cat, Ludwig. Lying on the sofa on Saturday morning with Ludo on his lap watching Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks pretend to beat each other up. He loved that cuddly fat cat, they were best buddies.
He introduced me to Vampires, Monty Python, politics and heathenism. He wasn’t the messiah, he was a very naughty boy.
And all those precious moments that we had together in his final weeks here, caring for him, and laughing with him. He may have lost some abilities along the way, but he never lost his sense of humour.
He’s touched the hearts of many people, and we shall all miss him immensely.
I can’t think of a better legacy than the one of kindness that he has left for us.
We love you Dad, and I’m glad that we had the opportunity to tell you and show you that before you left.
Matt Hobday
20-10 2020 16:24
wrote:
Dad was one of a kind. While we were growing up he always gave us the freedom to explore and find our own path. He would never judge or criticise, and he never belittled us or made us feel bad for whatever gargantuan mistakes we may have made along the way. He was always there to pick us up when we fell.
Not once did he give the “hey son, let me give you some advice” speech. He didn’t give advice, instead he showed us how to live by example. He was someone who walked the talk.
He was an exemplary human, always thinking of others, tender and selfless right up to his last days here.
I remember him taking us swimming and teaching us how to float on our backs. I still can’t do it as well as he could. I remember going down the beach with him and him showing us how to make amazing sand castles with our hands from wet sand, which would call attention from anyone walking past.
The way he stood his toast up in the morning to cool it down, like a house of cards. The cups of tea, made with loose tea in the teapot. Teaching me how to play chess, and eventually beating him at it (although I suspect he let me win).
I remember how much he loved our childhood cat, Ludwig. Lying on the sofa on Saturday morning with Ludo on his lap watching Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks pretend to beat each other up. He loved that cuddly fat cat, they were best buddies.
He introduced me to Vampires, Monty Python, politics and heathenism. He wasn’t the messiah, he was a very naughty boy.
And all those precious moments that we had together in his final weeks here, caring for him, and laughing with him. He may have lost some abilities along the way, but he never lost his sense of humour.
He’s touched the hearts of many people, and we shall all miss him immensely.
I can’t think of a better legacy than the one of kindness that he has left for us.
We love you Dad, and I’m glad that we had the opportunity to tell you and show you that before you left.
