"This Too Shall Pass"

When I first met Uncle at Veeranna Gardens more than twenty years ago, I spent a lot of time with him. I needed to… because I was courting one of his daughters and I had to impress him before I could even begin to impress her.

He told me how mischievous his daughter had been when she was younger – but that did not dissuade me.

Uncle and I spent a lot of time together, drinking endless cups of tea together as he regaled me with stories of British Army life. We discussed everything under the sun: politics, sport, religion and life in general. I recall with fondness his sense of humour and his happiness despite the adverse circumstances during those days.

What impressed me most about him was his sense of history. He seemed to know everything that had happened in the past. By all accounts, he had already lived a life that was full.

In his later years, after the stroke that he suffered, I remember Uncle for his resilience. Against all odds, he soldiered on and was there with a welcoming smile whenever we visited him.

We still have vivid memories of my sister’s wedding reception, at which Uncle and Aunty surprised us all by doing an impromptu dance. That picture will be embedded in our minds for a long time.

My father-in-law was a good man who did his best for his family. He is in a better place now and life goes on for the rest of us. Looking down at his wife and children - his pride and joy, he would want them to be strong. I think he would want them to be comforted by the words of this song:

“The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall
He feels your pain, His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong
But with His strength, you'll overcome.

“This too shall pass
Like every night that's come before it
He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass
So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands
This too shall pass.”