Brian… Dad, has never been a man of many words,
choosing them sparingly when he spoke.
An excellent listener,
always willing to hear what you have to say.
Today, I don’t intend to give a long account of
Brian’s life, because without a doubt he’ll be listening.
After all, he has planned much of today.
And if I was to indulge in his achievements,
Of which there are many…
He’d get grumpy,
In a nice kind of way, in Dad’s own special way.
Beside, I know that you all have your own memories of Brian
that when joined together create a beautiful mosaic of his life.
Moments that you will be able to share together.
But I do want to share a story with you,
A story of a Sunflower…
Of two beautiful Sunflowers.
Sunflowers are a favourite of mine, big, bright, colourful and
beautiful.
And they have always been a favourite of Brian’s… Dad’s.
As a kid growing up I can always remember them growing at his parents home…
In Pop and Nana’s backyard.
At Scarborough, on the Redcliffe Penninsula,
there are two very special Sunflowers that are blooming…
You won’t miss them if you drive that way,
For they stand majestically
Overlooking the cliffs towards Moreton Bay.
What makes these two sunflowers so special is they are growing,
in the very spot where Dad asked our mother to marry him,
More than fifty years ago…
Last Sunday morning Dad slipped away peacefully…
As I held his hand gently the first rays of light were piercing the
Eastern skyline over Moreton Bay…
The rising sun is a beautiful thing,
Turning darkness to light,
Signalling the dawning of a new day,
Lighting the pathway to a new life…
And as he made his way, peacefully,
I was comforted knowing that Nana and Pop would be waiting at the gate
for their little boy,
To hold him dearly, once again…
I was comforted that his faith has given him the courage,
to make this journey home,
His journey to eternal life.
I looked out over the bay at the rising sun and I could feel the
warmth from its rays touching these two sunflowers…
Breathing life into their delicate petals.
In the golden glow I could see a handsome young man,
holding his beautiful young bride…
A smile eased the tension in my face.
Over these past few days we have shed tears…
We have laughed…
But above all else we’ve felt so much joy that we have had Brian…
Dad, with us for so long…
Always looking out for us all, and never far from Fay, the love of his life.
Yes, Fay, the love of his life…
To my mind one of the greatest gifts a father can give his
children is to love their mother, with all his heart,
Forever…
Mum, Dad will never stop loving you, he will never stop loving us all….
And to all here who have joined with us today
to farewell Brian,
I leave you with this thought…
When next you see a sunflower, take the time to stop…
Bask in its golden glow,
And look into its heart.
I know who’ll you’ll see and he will help wipe the tears you hold
He will bring a smile to your face…
Yes, Brian…
Dad…
Big, bright, colourful and beautiful…
Ps: Brian hasn’t smoke a pipe in decades, but we snapped him “mucking” around recently…
Xplore 
I don’t have the right words for this, except to say that I want to send what I’m experiencing – silence and permeability, that is – in respect and awe for your father and the beautiful tribute you’ve written to his life and your relationship with him. It’s really gorgeous to read this and to read such wonderful words. You’re a trooper. Sending hugs.
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Once again, thank you…! 🙂
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What a wonderful tribute. So glad I stopped by this morning, and that you had such a great dad. 🙂
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Thanks sweetie…
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So sorry for the loss of your Dad I know what it is like to loose a very important man such as a Dad.
Your tribute is glorious
Sending HUGS
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Thanks, we could feel those hugs, much appreciated!
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You are welcome
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Our love to you all at this sad time-again.Brian must have been a wonderful father to have influenced you and Mrs Landy in your inspirational parenting.He is now resting in peace<3
.
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Yes, indeed he was Jane…thanks!
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Beautifully written Baz. So very sorry. xx
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Thank you, he was a beautiful man… 🙂
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beautiful tribute [[[hugs]]]
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Thanks [[[BG]]]
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Baz – I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Your beautifully written post has brought tears to my eyes, thinking about how much you all loved one another and what a great life Brian must have lived. I will always think of you two when I see a sunflower. In fact, it will be the first flower I bring into my new house, in your dad’s honor. Hugs from Captain and Ted!
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And that would be a great honour for us. We loved him, but we’ve had to let him go, and whilst sad, he gave us so much to be happy about.
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Baz, I’m sorry to hear man
I grow them (Sunflowers) in my back yard, I am sure that I will think of your tribute to a loved Father every time I’m out there with them.
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Thanks, whilst his passing is sad, we had him for a long time, and I would like people to look at sunflowers, and see him!
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A very touching tribute, Baz, that will bring comfort to your family. Sounds like your Dad lead a good life and set a fine example for you to follow. Truly a life to celebrate. My condolences to you and yours.
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Thank you for sharing such lovely words about your Dad. It brought tears to my eyes and to think I was drawn to this post because sunflowers are my favourite flower, too.
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Yes, he was like a big sunflower!
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Beautifully written Baz. Brian sounded like a lovely guy and a great father.
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Thanks Grant…
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Ah, Baz… absolutely lovely. I got all teary as I read through your loving eulogy for Pop. And yes, your father did give you the greatest gift… loving your mum from start to finish. You and your family have been singularly blessed. Many hugs and prayers.
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Indeed we have…
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I shed a tear for you all. It was very uplifting as well.
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That was truly lovely.
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Thank you, he was a lovely man!
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Sunflowers are my favourite, too – and what a beautiful tribute. May your Dad be at peace. Love to you and yours…
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Thanks…
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