My Uncle Barry

Arrived home this afternoon, Friday 9th January, from Townsville after attending my Uncle Barry's funeral yesterday.The drive down was good, and we arrived at Bev and Win's with plenty of time before we had to go into the city to the chapel.


I walked in and saw his casket on the trolley and couldn't believe that his body was inside, as it just didn't look big enough.He was always so tall and muscular( as he loved all sorts of outdoor activites).They showed many photos of his life, with some of him and my dad when they were youngerand lived in Victoria.It was hard even to see photos of my Dad, as he has been dead for 28 years now.My only comfort is that they will now be together again.


Aunty Marg looked quite good, I guess she has had a long time to get used to the fact that her soulmate will one day be gone.It just happened sooner than we all thought, which really is a blessing for both Uncle Barry( he won't be in pain anymore), and for Aunty Marg and her DD's Susie, Jackie and Evie.


The minute I saw the girls it brought back so many memories of times spent together as a child and early teenager.Evie and I especially( being the same age) used to be so close, but hadn't seen each other for about 20 years.Lots of things have since happened in our lives, but it was great to see her yesterday.I even got a photo of both of us.

I sit here typing this with tears streaming down my face , because it has finally hit me, after finding a beautiful photo of him at my wedding 15 years ago.....that I won't be able to sit and talk with him anymore, chat about life and my Dad etc..... He was such a huge part of my life, especially after my Dad died when I was 7.He was always there for us all, Aunty Marg as well.I will always have a special part in my heart for him.

I also sit here, berating myself and feeling guilty that I didn't go to see him over the past 18 months.At the time , I thought I was doing the right thing, as I wanted to remember him the way he used to be and not the shell of a man he became.I wish now that I had, so that I could hold his hand and talk about when he and my Dad were younger.He may not have really remembered , but it would have helped me I think.Dementia is such a cruel, humiliating disease, not only for the sufferer but the family that have to sit and watch their loved ones slowly become weaker and weaker.That they don't remember them and their personalities become a total opposite of what they used to be.

Uncle Barry was an Engineer, and was head of the Townsville City Council for years.He loved his job, and his family even more.He loved the outdoors, whether it be camping, hiking, fishing, skiing , boating, amongst many other pursuits.They travelled extensively around the Northern part of QLD as well as many other parts of Australia and the world.I am so pleased that he was able to retire early, and be able to spend that time with Aunty Marg doing the things they loved together.

He and Aunty Marg would have been married 45 years in May, and he was 66 years old.

I love you Uncle Barry very very much and you will be missed terribly.

I leave you now after such a big, emotional couple of days .Cherish every moment with your family and good friends.I know I will be.