How is it possible that something as simple as eggs and soldiers can bring you to tears? Well, this is a mighty powerful meal. Tonight, after a full-on day at work, physi for the girls this afternoon, and karate for Kels and I, I popped in to see my sis and her partner. Shelley’s uncle died this morning. It’s sad, but at the same time everyone is kind of at peace with it. He’s had a rough struggle with health issues and dementia. We are all so sick of funerals though, and while we were talking, we counted up the amount of deaths that have affected our family or close friends in the past year. It’s almost 12 months since Pa died, and there have been 7 more deaths since then. So, it was with that in mind that I came home. Got Kelsey some dinner. Carried poor little sick Tayla in to bed. Wandered aimlessly around the kitchen till I found something for dinner. Sat down to some boiled eggs and toast. And proceeded to bawl my eyes out.
Pa used to do this thing … every time I had boiled eggs, he’d sit there, very patiently waiting until I finished. Then, he’d distract me. “Look, what’s that?” Very subtle, he was. I’d turn around, knowing exactly what he was doing, but secretly delighted all the same. He’d turn the empty egg-shell over, and then when I turned back round, tell me to finish my breakfast. He’d sit there trying to contain the big goofy grin on his face, while I broke the empty eggshell. Then he’d laugh and laugh, and brag that he got me again. And I’d laugh too, partly because I wanted to humour him, but partly because I just loved this. I loved his reliability. I loved that he would continue to do something over and over again if he thought it would bring a smile to my face.

Love you Pa. Miss you every day.