17-01 2021 20:29
wrote:
Our gorgeous, humble, charismatic,, compassionate and modest Uncle Michael is gone. Gone forever. His whole life has been about going home last Friday. It’s what he lived for, and would have been ready to go no matter when the call came. Heavens gain is the worlds loss, and in particular, his Jesuit brothers, and his many many friends who, like me, are heartbroken. And all of us, his nieces, nephews, grand nieces grand nephews and great grand nieces and great grand nephews. He always showed such a keen and concerned interest in each and every one of us. I Skyped him almost every weekend and looked so forward to chatting with him. His wisdom, his fun, and his advice were always on hand. We are both humbled and so so proud to be related to him. His tireless battle for justice in the downtrodden never wavered .His wonderful work in HIV/ AIDS is legendary at this point. As the last member of Mums siblings, his death has left a huge hole in the family’. I was so so lucky on Friday morning when I called the Coptic Hospital to enquire about his condition. The nurse said he was improved, and would it like to do a what’s app video call with him. I was overjoyed but reminded her he didn’t have a phone. So she said” no, but I do”. She called out her number and when I called via what’s app, there he was. He was very pale but beaming from ear to ear. He removed his oxygen mask and asked how I was. He put back on the mask and I did the talking, telling him about all his nieces and nephews all being in touch so regularly and we all sent our love and wanted him to get well soon. His last words to me were “ tell them all I send all my love”. The he replaced the mask and started blowing kisses as I too was doing. I text the nurse afterwards to thank her for facilitating the call and that it meant the world to me. I said I hoped I didn’t tire him out. Her reply was that it wasn’t tiredness, it was excitement. In my mind I thought that maybe we could do it again tomorrow. When I got the call from Nicola less than two hours later, I was utterly shocked and heartbroken. I couldn’t believe that a few hours previously, I had the honour and privilege of seeing and speaking with him. I will treasure those two minutes forever and be forever grateful to that nurse. Now he is home, where he always wanted to be. Goodbye for now Uncle Michael, you will never know how loved you were and always will be. Our lives were enriched by having you in it and will be very empty without you. But it would be selfish to say we weren’t t ready to let you go. You were ready, always. I send you all my love on your journey and I hope you have arrived safe and sound
Go safely and please keep a good eye on all of us
Hugs
Dairina
17-01 2021 20:29
wrote:
Our gorgeous, humble, charismatic,, compassionate and modest Uncle Michael is gone. Gone forever. His whole life has been about going home last Friday. It’s what he lived for, and would have been ready to go no matter when the call came. Heavens gain is the worlds loss, and in particular, his Jesuit brothers, and his many many friends who, like me, are heartbroken. And all of us, his nieces, nephews, grand nieces grand nephews and great grand nieces and great grand nephews. He always showed such a keen and concerned interest in each and every one of us. I Skyped him almost every weekend and looked so forward to chatting with him. His wisdom, his fun, and his advice were always on hand. We are both humbled and so so proud to be related to him. His tireless battle for justice in the downtrodden never wavered .His wonderful work in HIV/ AIDS is legendary at this point. As the last member of Mums siblings, his death has left a huge hole in the family’. I was so so lucky on Friday morning when I called the Coptic Hospital to enquire about his condition. The nurse said he was improved, and would it like to do a what’s app video call with him. I was overjoyed but reminded her he didn’t have a phone. So she said” no, but I do”. She called out her number and when I called via what’s app, there he was. He was very pale but beaming from ear to ear. He removed his oxygen mask and asked how I was. He put back on the mask and I did the talking, telling him about all his nieces and nephews all being in touch so regularly and we all sent our love and wanted him to get well soon. His last words to me were “ tell them all I send all my love”. The he replaced the mask and started blowing kisses as I too was doing. I text the nurse afterwards to thank her for facilitating the call and that it meant the world to me. I said I hoped I didn’t tire him out. Her reply was that it wasn’t tiredness, it was excitement. In my mind I thought that maybe we could do it again tomorrow. When I got the call from Nicola less than two hours later, I was utterly shocked and heartbroken. I couldn’t believe that a few hours previously, I had the honour and privilege of seeing and speaking with him. I will treasure those two minutes forever and be forever grateful to that nurse. Now he is home, where he always wanted to be. Goodbye for now Uncle Michael, you will never know how loved you were and always will be. Our lives were enriched by having you in it and will be very empty without you. But it would be selfish to say we weren’t t ready to let you go. You were ready, always. I send you all my love on your journey and I hope you have arrived safe and sound
Go safely and please keep a good eye on all of us
Hugs
Dairina
