I'm in shock and deeply saddened. Today my beloved Grandpa, Neville Keith Drews passed away suddenly but peacefully at 5:27pm.
It doesn't seem real. Only two nights ago we celebrated as a family Nanny & Pop's 60th Wedding Anniversay. He was the life of the party...
Just last night we again joined for a big family meal - celebrating a second time (eating the leftovers)! Pop was our usually loving, witty and clever Pop. What a wonderful time we had together. I will forever be grateful to have had that meal.
So it seems so devastatingly unbelievable today Pop is gone. This morning, after driving to Uncle Noel's for a visit, he returned home and complained of a headache. When Nanny enquired after him only a few moments later, he said it was the worst headache of his life. Ironically he was right.
Moments later he was in the ambulance (he walked down the stairs himself) but had to be revived upon arrival at the hospital. At about 11:30am I received a call from my Uncle Tim advising us that Pop was in hospital and was having tests; and could I call mum and dad to tell them as he couldn't get hold of him. At that point I didn't realise how serious it was.
I tried calling Dad and by the time I was able to reach him, he'd just spoken to Tim. It was not looking good: they were on their way up, and would let us know how he was. It was not long after when he called to say we should come up. They'd already called my Uncle Neville (named after his father) would was trying to arrange flights from Atherton.
Bethany was still asleep and Lachlan was with Kylie. We rang Kylie and arranged for her to come over to our house with Lach, and we'll travel up in convoy (we can't all fit in one car). We rang Beck- Cella had just gone down to sleep, so they would come later. Kylie arrived in due time, and we all set off: Kevan & Bethany in his ute; Kylie, the boys and I in hers. We were mid way when Dad called again with the message to come straight away. I then rang Beck and told her she needed to wake Cella and come now.
On the way to the hospital I prepared the boys for what was to happen. They were coping okay thus far, and had spent time with Grandpa Moore on his last day, so there were a little prepared of what to expect already. Except this was a little different. When we arrived Pop was hooked up to all manner of machines. It was a massive brain haemorrhage, one that he could not recover from.
They removed the ventilator and then we waited with him. We sang to him, "I'm in His hands" which was a hymn he'd cherished. It was hard because that was the same hymn we'd sang to Grandpa Moore only three months earlier. Then at around 5:30pm, our beloved Pop breathed his last and passed into eternity.
It's hard to believe. I grew up practically at their house. Every Sunday we went there for meals, and would spend most of the afternoon there. Pop was a 'hands on' Grandpa. He'd be down there on the floor, playing with us. He taught me how to play chess, ping pong (table tennis - but he always called it ping pong), and solitaire. He was pretty good at ping pong. He'd lure you into thinking you just might have a chance to win, and then he'd start playing properly. He was a master at spinning the ball, and he had a smash like lightening too! And sure enough, without fail, he would kindly point out the table edges whenever my shot missed the table! Just in case I didn't know where the table stopped etc.
He'd rearrange his furniture and build us lounge cubbies out of their lounge suite. As a parent now myself I can't imagine me doing that to our lounge - but with Pop - nothing was a problem. We'd even eat ice cream on the carpet - deftly protected by the big ole army blanket of course! And Pop would sit on the floor there with us.
He'd say "MWAS" - 'My Wants Are Small' - each and every time you'd ask him if he wanted something like a cup of tea etc. And when you'd ask, "Tea or Coffee" - he'd reply "bonox" with an impish grin. I would often ring him to ask how to solve a math problem, or work out a formula - he'd recall it instantly. Even in business - "Pop, how do you convert this volume / cubing" - he'd give you the answer instantly and was pleased to be able to do so.
And speaking of in business - Pop often dropped by work for a chat and a coffee. Perhaps of all our family members, he was the one who took the most interest in all we were doing with our company. He was always ready to given wise counsel and to talk over our future plans.
Even with his great-grandchildren - Pop would still be on the floor, playing with them. Just the other day he lay on the floor next to Bethany, and let her play with his hair.
He was always there. And I guess we thought that would always be the case. So that's why I say 'stop all the clocks" (as in the poem by W.H Auden) - because it's a different day now and forevermore.
We will love and miss you forever Pop. Forever loved, forever missed. Forever grateful just to have you, even for a short time.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Kevan's Police Run In
Well what a week... I love Christmas and all it means. I love sharing it with my family, going to church in the morning and lunch together afterwards. And I love recovering on Boxing Day, having a quiet one to get over the hype.
But our boxing/new year week seemed to be a particularly busy one. Each day we endeavoured to do something different. Monday was a trip on the boat with the boys, then to Mum's for dinner. Tuesday was going on the trail bikes. Wednesday was out on the boat again in the morning, then coming home to get ready to go to Ben's for his New Year's Bash. During the afternoon, dad dropped home the boys' bikes (bicycles, not the trail bikes) and left them tied up in the trailer, right up the back of the yard, just in front of the shed. In our busy-ness we saw them in there, but were busy trying to get ready to go out. "They'll be okay, they're tied up in the trailer, in the back yard, not visible to the public etc".
Had a great New Years. I might of had a bit too much fun with Karaoke and an ABBA album, but I'll never admit it publicly. Although, my rendition must've made an impression because it wasn't long before other friends (not at the party) started commenting on it!!
But I digress... All in all we were so busy it took a day or two to notice the bikes were missing. Untied, ropes strewn about, bikes gone. Not Christmas presents, but they were brand new only 5 mths ago. Oh and expensive enough too. How did anyone know they were in the trailer? It was in the back of our yard! Then the realisation sinks in that someone must've been fossicking around our back yard, and that's not a nice thing to think about. Fortunately nothing else was gone.
So off to the Petrie Police station to report the theft. Kevan was in the process of describing the bikes etc. Did we keep the serial numbers? No - well you don't think of that at the time... Anyway, so Kevan's describing the bikes (giving out distinguishing features, even still have the receipt of purchase etc) when another constable walks up and says, "I think the gold one was handed in yesterday." Sure enough, it was Lach's bike! Someone had found it dumped in their front carport, so they rang police and reported it! So Kevan asked for the address where it was found, sure enough - only two streets over. Mongrels. At least they were stolen by idiot kids who didn't know the bikes' value and therefore didn't try to onsell them. Or pawn them.
Oh well - one bike recovered, one to go. That was the Friday. So on Monday afternoon, Kevan picked the boys up from Vacation Care, and they were particularly down because the next day was 'bring your bike' day. Although we knew Lach's bike was found, the police still had it because they wanted to finish 'processing' it etc. So Kevan decided to drive down the street where Lach's bike was dumped, just to have a look. And sure enough, just one house over & across the street from that location, was a wheel and a green seat sticking out behind a brick fence. So Kevan went to have a look, and sure enough it was Harry's bike!
Immediately we rang the police, told them, and asked them to come. That's when we really got the run-around. Could be hours, they were busy. This was 5pm. So we're waiting, waiting, waiting - no police come. Kevan called them - call operations centre was what he was told. So he called: "yes Mr Goff, we're very busy tonight, we'll assign it to a car in due course". More waiting. No police. It's 9pm now - four hours after we called. Geez, glad it wasn't for a domestic disturbance etc. So Kevan called again, "yes Mr Goff, we're still very busy, it'll get assigned to a car at some point and then someone will respond". I mean, I know it's only a kids bike - but it still is stolen property after all - but five hours now with no response... seems a little bit rich. Guess they can't spare anyone off the Camera's...
By 10pm it is apparent they're not coming. And we're getting anxious because we just want the bike back. So we call again - still not allocated. So, Kevan went and got the bike. End of story, off to bed.
Sometime later: bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. It's the police. They came. At 11pm. "There's no issue now - we've got the bike back". Boy did their tone and demeanour change. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT THE BIKE BACK?". "I went there and recovered my property". "AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT" "Well it's my property" "THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO THERE, DOES IT?". "Well, it's been five hours and no one.." "STOP RIGHT THERE. DON'T YOU DARE HAVE A GO"
Gettin a bit hot now. Suddenly we're the bad guys. Suddenly we have to prove it's our bike. Here's the receipt. "That tells me nothing. How can you prove it's your bike?" Well it's a green Mongoose Pro Motivator Mini... "Anyone can have that bike". Yes but these are the features... "Well any bike can have those features". Yes but these are the specific, distiguishing features, chain guard removed... "Any bike could have a chain guard removed". Yes but the chain guard, plus this scratch... "Any bike could have a scratch". Yes but the fact it was the exact bike, matching this exact description, located only one house down, across the road from where our other bike was recovered.
"That's all just CIRCUMSTANTIAL - doesn't necessarily mean anything". How on earth did we end up with Sargent Tackleberry on a power trip?
Surely it's sus - we know that this was our son's bike, same features, same marks, AND it was over the road from the place where the other stolen bike was recovered, and we've already proved to the Petrie police that we owned it (because of it's distinguishing features - which the much nicer police at petrie were only too happy to accept), plus we have a receipt for that exact make and model, and can instantly recall how and when and where it was bought. But what do we know? Obviously nothing worth a cracker to these power freaks.
"We're going to go over there now and if they say they own it, we'll be coming back to arrest YOU." Kevan said, "well they'll have to prove they own it." When Tackleberry retorts, "THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVE ANYTHING. IF THEY SAY SO, THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH."
Excuse me, is this the twilight zone? Where is the hidden camera? Candid Camera still a show??? Okay, so we get this straight - we have to jump through hoops to prove this is our bike: the receipt, description, marks, circumstance - all mean jack coming from us. But them? No, they just have to say it's theirs. Unbelievable. Off go the Sargent Tackleberry's into the night. We sit down shaking just a little over what's just happened. My heart is racing....
Half an hour later... bang, bang, bang, bang again (and boy do they bang!). "Ah, Mr Goff" (phew, we're back to nice guy Tackleberry again) "those people said they've been away, and have people coming and going all the time..." (druggies, maybe?) "and can't identify who might have brought the bike there... (hello - who LIVES there? And why didn't they report it found, then? Maybe because they stole it?) "and don't wish to make a claim for ownership of the bike..." (duh!) "and so you're very lucky." zrrrpp. We're lucky?
Unbelievable! Did they question them? No, becuase they don't wish to make a claim for ownership. And yet - WE - the OWNERS - get put through the THIRD DEGREE, and are threatened with arrest!
"So we'll come around tomorrow to finger print the bike. Have a nice night". Unbelieveable. Good night, Tackleberry, go back to your Camera...
But our boxing/new year week seemed to be a particularly busy one. Each day we endeavoured to do something different. Monday was a trip on the boat with the boys, then to Mum's for dinner. Tuesday was going on the trail bikes. Wednesday was out on the boat again in the morning, then coming home to get ready to go to Ben's for his New Year's Bash. During the afternoon, dad dropped home the boys' bikes (bicycles, not the trail bikes) and left them tied up in the trailer, right up the back of the yard, just in front of the shed. In our busy-ness we saw them in there, but were busy trying to get ready to go out. "They'll be okay, they're tied up in the trailer, in the back yard, not visible to the public etc".
Had a great New Years. I might of had a bit too much fun with Karaoke and an ABBA album, but I'll never admit it publicly. Although, my rendition must've made an impression because it wasn't long before other friends (not at the party) started commenting on it!!
But I digress... All in all we were so busy it took a day or two to notice the bikes were missing. Untied, ropes strewn about, bikes gone. Not Christmas presents, but they were brand new only 5 mths ago. Oh and expensive enough too. How did anyone know they were in the trailer? It was in the back of our yard! Then the realisation sinks in that someone must've been fossicking around our back yard, and that's not a nice thing to think about. Fortunately nothing else was gone.
So off to the Petrie Police station to report the theft. Kevan was in the process of describing the bikes etc. Did we keep the serial numbers? No - well you don't think of that at the time... Anyway, so Kevan's describing the bikes (giving out distinguishing features, even still have the receipt of purchase etc) when another constable walks up and says, "I think the gold one was handed in yesterday." Sure enough, it was Lach's bike! Someone had found it dumped in their front carport, so they rang police and reported it! So Kevan asked for the address where it was found, sure enough - only two streets over. Mongrels. At least they were stolen by idiot kids who didn't know the bikes' value and therefore didn't try to onsell them. Or pawn them.
Oh well - one bike recovered, one to go. That was the Friday. So on Monday afternoon, Kevan picked the boys up from Vacation Care, and they were particularly down because the next day was 'bring your bike' day. Although we knew Lach's bike was found, the police still had it because they wanted to finish 'processing' it etc. So Kevan decided to drive down the street where Lach's bike was dumped, just to have a look. And sure enough, just one house over & across the street from that location, was a wheel and a green seat sticking out behind a brick fence. So Kevan went to have a look, and sure enough it was Harry's bike!
Immediately we rang the police, told them, and asked them to come. That's when we really got the run-around. Could be hours, they were busy. This was 5pm. So we're waiting, waiting, waiting - no police come. Kevan called them - call operations centre was what he was told. So he called: "yes Mr Goff, we're very busy tonight, we'll assign it to a car in due course". More waiting. No police. It's 9pm now - four hours after we called. Geez, glad it wasn't for a domestic disturbance etc. So Kevan called again, "yes Mr Goff, we're still very busy, it'll get assigned to a car at some point and then someone will respond". I mean, I know it's only a kids bike - but it still is stolen property after all - but five hours now with no response... seems a little bit rich. Guess they can't spare anyone off the Camera's...
By 10pm it is apparent they're not coming. And we're getting anxious because we just want the bike back. So we call again - still not allocated. So, Kevan went and got the bike. End of story, off to bed.
Sometime later: bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. It's the police. They came. At 11pm. "There's no issue now - we've got the bike back". Boy did their tone and demeanour change. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT THE BIKE BACK?". "I went there and recovered my property". "AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT" "Well it's my property" "THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO THERE, DOES IT?". "Well, it's been five hours and no one.." "STOP RIGHT THERE. DON'T YOU DARE HAVE A GO"
Gettin a bit hot now. Suddenly we're the bad guys. Suddenly we have to prove it's our bike. Here's the receipt. "That tells me nothing. How can you prove it's your bike?" Well it's a green Mongoose Pro Motivator Mini... "Anyone can have that bike". Yes but these are the features... "Well any bike can have those features". Yes but these are the specific, distiguishing features, chain guard removed... "Any bike could have a chain guard removed". Yes but the chain guard, plus this scratch... "Any bike could have a scratch". Yes but the fact it was the exact bike, matching this exact description, located only one house down, across the road from where our other bike was recovered.
"That's all just CIRCUMSTANTIAL - doesn't necessarily mean anything". How on earth did we end up with Sargent Tackleberry on a power trip?
Surely it's sus - we know that this was our son's bike, same features, same marks, AND it was over the road from the place where the other stolen bike was recovered, and we've already proved to the Petrie police that we owned it (because of it's distinguishing features - which the much nicer police at petrie were only too happy to accept), plus we have a receipt for that exact make and model, and can instantly recall how and when and where it was bought. But what do we know? Obviously nothing worth a cracker to these power freaks.
"We're going to go over there now and if they say they own it, we'll be coming back to arrest YOU." Kevan said, "well they'll have to prove they own it." When Tackleberry retorts, "THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVE ANYTHING. IF THEY SAY SO, THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH."
Excuse me, is this the twilight zone? Where is the hidden camera? Candid Camera still a show??? Okay, so we get this straight - we have to jump through hoops to prove this is our bike: the receipt, description, marks, circumstance - all mean jack coming from us. But them? No, they just have to say it's theirs. Unbelievable. Off go the Sargent Tackleberry's into the night. We sit down shaking just a little over what's just happened. My heart is racing....
Half an hour later... bang, bang, bang, bang again (and boy do they bang!). "Ah, Mr Goff" (phew, we're back to nice guy Tackleberry again) "those people said they've been away, and have people coming and going all the time..." (druggies, maybe?) "and can't identify who might have brought the bike there... (hello - who LIVES there? And why didn't they report it found, then? Maybe because they stole it?) "and don't wish to make a claim for ownership of the bike..." (duh!) "and so you're very lucky." zrrrpp. We're lucky?
Unbelievable! Did they question them? No, becuase they don't wish to make a claim for ownership. And yet - WE - the OWNERS - get put through the THIRD DEGREE, and are threatened with arrest!
"So we'll come around tomorrow to finger print the bike. Have a nice night". Unbelieveable. Good night, Tackleberry, go back to your Camera...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Laid to Rest
Today we laid to rest a truly great man, my Grandpa Moore. Grandma and Grandpa have always been a source of great strength, love and support throughout my whole life. None moreso than when we were in officership. No matter what happened in life, whatever smart or even foolish decision I'd made, whether we were facing the up's or even the down's - I always knew and keenly felt that Grandpa was always there cheering in my corner! Their support was always never ending, their encouragement plentiful and their love: abundant!
So when Grandma asked me to conduct the short ashes scattering service I was extremely humbled, honoured and privileged to do so. Here is a an excerpt of the service:
Eric Alexander Moore was promoted to Glory on Sunday 28th Sept 2008. And while we're here today to scatter his ashes, we are reminded that these are but his earthly remains, for we know that Grandpa has already gone on to a Heavenly place, his eternal reward.
John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going"
Grandpa kewn that way. He lived a Godly life, devoted to Christ, to his wife and to his family. We all have many fond memories of his influence and impact on our lives. he was a family man, a good and faithful soldier, and entertainer and a funny one at that. Grandma shared with me this morning that she had a wonderful evening last night, sitting next to Grandpa's ashes, listening to a recording of him singing, "Light Fingered Freddy". In typical Eric fashion, he sang with gusto, had the crowd in stitches with his 'off the cuff' one liners, and finished on a rapturous, trimphant note! But not before he threw in a quick testimony... that was Grandpa to a tee, sharing so much of himself, bringing much joy to many... and we are all the richer for it.
And so we're all here today, in this lovely spot that was so special to Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma first started coming here as a girl, when the Salvation Army Easter Monday picnis were held here. There used to be an outdoor dance floor, and she loved wathing the ladies in their ballgowns dancing gracefully there. Then when Grandma and Grandpa moved to Golden Downs, they would come here, to this very spot every week, sometimes twice a week. They'd sit here, enjoy some fish and chips and watch the sea... the planes flying overhead... the trawlers drawing in their catch... the ships coming in... the kids flying their kites... the people walking by, going about their business... and after they'd sat a while, they'd take the leftover chips down to the water's edge for the birds to enjoy.
And so in scattering Grandpa's ashes here today, this will forever seal this their special spot. One that we can all share together. When we come here, we will sit and think of Grandpa, and remember his influence over our lives, the blessings that he brought us and remember him and we come here.
Kylie read this verse:
"Be comforted,
My life is ended here at peace with the cliffs and the sea.
The Lord has called me home and I am free to go peacefully.
Don't mourn my passing as I am now in the presence of the Glory of God,
His bright love is abundant and his promises are real.
I will wait here for you dear ones in Jesus' arms and watch over you with him until you also come home.
Be comforted loved ones.
'I shall go the way of the cliffs and the open sea,
To the lands before you came,
And the cool ocean breezes shall blow from me,
The memory of your name'."
Kevan conducted the following committal as the ashes were spread, followed by the benediction:
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our husband, brother, father, grandfather & great-grandfather Eric Alexander Moore, and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust.
Benediction:
"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."
Rest in peace Grandpa, until we meet again...
So when Grandma asked me to conduct the short ashes scattering service I was extremely humbled, honoured and privileged to do so. Here is a an excerpt of the service:
Eric Alexander Moore was promoted to Glory on Sunday 28th Sept 2008. And while we're here today to scatter his ashes, we are reminded that these are but his earthly remains, for we know that Grandpa has already gone on to a Heavenly place, his eternal reward.
John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going"
Grandpa kewn that way. He lived a Godly life, devoted to Christ, to his wife and to his family. We all have many fond memories of his influence and impact on our lives. he was a family man, a good and faithful soldier, and entertainer and a funny one at that. Grandma shared with me this morning that she had a wonderful evening last night, sitting next to Grandpa's ashes, listening to a recording of him singing, "Light Fingered Freddy". In typical Eric fashion, he sang with gusto, had the crowd in stitches with his 'off the cuff' one liners, and finished on a rapturous, trimphant note! But not before he threw in a quick testimony... that was Grandpa to a tee, sharing so much of himself, bringing much joy to many... and we are all the richer for it.
And so we're all here today, in this lovely spot that was so special to Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma first started coming here as a girl, when the Salvation Army Easter Monday picnis were held here. There used to be an outdoor dance floor, and she loved wathing the ladies in their ballgowns dancing gracefully there. Then when Grandma and Grandpa moved to Golden Downs, they would come here, to this very spot every week, sometimes twice a week. They'd sit here, enjoy some fish and chips and watch the sea... the planes flying overhead... the trawlers drawing in their catch... the ships coming in... the kids flying their kites... the people walking by, going about their business... and after they'd sat a while, they'd take the leftover chips down to the water's edge for the birds to enjoy.
And so in scattering Grandpa's ashes here today, this will forever seal this their special spot. One that we can all share together. When we come here, we will sit and think of Grandpa, and remember his influence over our lives, the blessings that he brought us and remember him and we come here.
Kylie read this verse:
"Be comforted,
My life is ended here at peace with the cliffs and the sea.
The Lord has called me home and I am free to go peacefully.
Don't mourn my passing as I am now in the presence of the Glory of God,
His bright love is abundant and his promises are real.
I will wait here for you dear ones in Jesus' arms and watch over you with him until you also come home.
Be comforted loved ones.
'I shall go the way of the cliffs and the open sea,
To the lands before you came,
And the cool ocean breezes shall blow from me,
The memory of your name'."
Kevan conducted the following committal as the ashes were spread, followed by the benediction:
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our husband, brother, father, grandfather & great-grandfather Eric Alexander Moore, and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust.
Benediction:
"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."
Rest in peace Grandpa, until we meet again...
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