In Loving Memory of William Stanley Clarke - My Dad
Hello loved ones, friends, neighbours, sycophants and fellow inebriates & ne’er-do-wells.
Now I have specifically requested that I did not want anybody to fork out on presents for me on my 60th birthday. Now don’t get me wrong, I am as materialistic as the next person with a penchant for the finer things in life but I did mean what I said about the gift thing. It wasn’t some perverse psychological gambit to part you from your hard earned cash but I truly thank all of you, from the heart, that have been asking Sue what to get me. So here’s the pitch; if you truly want to ingratiate yourself with me, please, please, please just make a donation to St David’s Foundation Hospice Care and forget all this nonsense about material things. I have been all about me for the past 60 years and this, maybe for the first time in my life, will make me feel good about myself. You will not imagine the joy this will bring me; more than a fine wine or a new golf bag, which are fleeting things I could manage without - just.
Why St David’s Foundation Hospice Care? When my father was struggling for his last breath of air in this world and my mother, my brother, my sister and I were in the depths of grief and despair these wonderful nurses, nay angels, from St David’s Hospice Care descended upon my father and gave him 24 hour care until he had to give up his fragile grip on life. They medicated, bathed, changed, talked to him (even though he seemed in another world) and sat with him through the night so that my mother could try to get some rest. Although racked with grief we were so very grateful that he passed away with dignity in his own home. What did we have to pay for this five star service? Nothing. So give me this chance to give something back and to say thank you for their selfless devotion to my father in his last days.
Give what you thought you could afford on my gift and I’ll see that you care for me. I won’t judge by the size of donation just by the fact that you gave. By doing this you’ll be saving my wretched soul, what finer gift could a man ask for.
Love and good health to you all. Keith xxxxxx
