Blinded no more

Well, today has been awful for several reason but mainly because I was told that Christopher has died. For those of you who don't know who he was, I looked after him in the care home. That might sound like nothing but sometimes I was the only person who worked there that he remembered. He was a charming Irishman, eloquent, witty and interesting. he spoke lots of languages and was always full of tales from the war, always full of tales of Ireland, always full of tales. He was generous and spiritual, always ready with a quote from the bible, his faith ran deep. He always said I had an 'Irish forehead'. I used to call him 'me little leprechaun' and he started calling me his 'little passionflower'. Ridiculous, I know but I felt we were actually friends and understood each other on some level, especially as he was relatively 'with it' when he first came to the home. I shaln't display too much information about him as we are on a public site here but Christopher loved his family and his home Country so much, that was evident in how he spoke of both.

I knew he'd die in the next few years. People don't go to old folks' homes expecting to live for another twenty or so years - especially the one I worked in. He seemed such a positive man, always smiling unless his depression kicked in, at which time he'd just ask to be left alone. Of course I don't know everything about his life, only what his family have told me and what he has told me himself but he was a good man. He was a good man so why did he have to suffer such torment at the end? Where is the fucking justice? He didn't deserve it.

Christopher felt like a friend, not just a resident. I'd look forward to going in to work and seeing him because we could make each other laugh and he'd try teaching me bits of the Irish language.

This is all just babble to everyone else I'm sure, but it has to come out as all I'm doing is sitting here sobbing.

Christopher, thank you for making me smile and being unique. Thank you for helping to make my working life a happier one. Thank you for being kind and for having lovely children who were always so charming to be around. I suppose I never really knew you that well but I still wish you were my grandad! I hope you have found a peace and I hope you can finally now be at rest. Goodbye.