You were always so calm, like the sea when the tide is out,
Gently lapping at the edge of the beach,
Always able to diffuse difficult altercations.
You were the heart of our family.
I wish I’d told you this when you were alive but I always thought you knew.
Living two hundred miles apart might have made us distant,
Yet on the bottom step, we spoke like no time had passed.
Your cheeky chuckle, with your dry humour,
Made for great talks on those stairs even when I was little.
You were the heart of my childhood.
I wish I’d told you this when you were alive but I always thought you knew.
The weekends we visited were few and far between but,
Our Christmas visit was one we never missed, catching up
With tea, cakes and lots of chat and giggles
In your warm, homely living room with you in your armchair.
You were the heart of those visits.
I wish I had told you this when you were alive but I always thought you knew.
Two summers in a row I spent two weeks with you and Nan ,
Following you to one or other of your many jobs.
The little clothes shop was my favourite.
You never knew this, but I tried on all the shoes in there.
You were the heart of those summers.
I wish I had told you this when you were alive but I always thought you knew.
When we weren’t together you sent letters or postcards,
Reminding us you were there, telling us your recent news.
I always wrote back with pages of words,
An excuse to write anything knowing you would read it all.
You were the heart of my teenage years.
I wish I had told you this when you were alive but I always thought you knew.
In life you were the best granddad any girl could wish for.
In death you left the best memories to remember you.
Everyone who knew you misses you.
Everyone who loves you wishes you were still here.
You were the heart of all our lives.
I wish I could tell you that now but I know you know.
