KoroJ's Blog

It was most fortunate that I called to see my dad when I was out riding last Sunday, because he collapsed on Monday and passed away early Tuesday.

My dad was a ratbag…He stole the chips off my plate and made me hug my sister after I teased her into a frenzy.

He watched me play sport, encouraging me and giving tips on gamesmanship, which I might add, he was an expert at the art of legal dirty tricks.

He took us on family outings to rivers and beaches, teaching me to swim and how to cook spuds in the embers of an open fire.

He entrusted me to manage his golf clubs at tournaments, rewarding me with treats and making me wait while he collected our prize in the 19th. (At least he said he was collecting our prize).

He loved playing practical jokes and would go out of his way for a laugh, waiting patiently for the fruits of his labours to bear fruit. On one occasion when mum had to go out and he had to clean-up, which would have taken 10 minutes, he spent an hour carefully packing all the dirty dishes into the pressure cooker, which he then placed in the oven. Mum came home and was delighted that he had been so thoughtful, as the kitchen was particularly spic-&-span. A few days later when mother went to use the pressure cooker, she had difficulty lifting it…..but she appreciated the effort he had gone to!!??

After I left home, he hated that I was out and about on motor bikes, but his eyes would light-up when I visited and he was always interested in what I had been getting up to and how things were going.

When I had my children, he loved to receive photos of them as they grew up, as we were usually separated by long distances and when we visited, there was nothing he enjoyed more than watching the children playing happily in the pool, which he had spent days preparing for them.

Over the years, we would talk for hours on the phone, discussing life in general, my children and the family in general, the meaning of life and how to cure the problems of the universe. He took particular interest in my work and business activities, and of late my adventures as a born-again-biker.

My dad was a ratbag…. he was my father, my mate, my mentor and my greatest fan. I will now have to find someone else to listen to and read about my adventures, offering comments and encouragement…..

I miss him already!!

Haere ra, e Pa. Haere, haere, haere.