Reminiscences Of You Lyn What can I tell you Lyn... I'll never forget the day... Tats told me the heartbreaking news - you, her baby brother, my uncle, had sadly passed away! Taken so cruelly and suddenly from this earth - "WHY?" I want to shout. I'll never make sense of it - that age-old question... "WHAT is life all about?" Like your older siblings, you became an uncle when you were a mere boy To Niece 1 (Dawn) and Niece 2 (Carol) - Delores' and Jerry's two bundles of joy. So close in age were we, that as we grew up - learning to utter your name It wasn't "Uncle" we called you, but "Lyn" - like a brother to us you became! Later in life... "Uncle Lyndon", "Uncle Lyn Lyn", "Uncle Lyn" rang in your ears From your other many nieces and nephews over the years. A role you wore responsibly, with honour and with pride... You treated each one specially - bear hug, tickle, tease - with a love you didn't hide You taught me determination - try, try, try again; never, never give in. If you persevere and apply yourself, there's every chance you'll eventually win. By merely demonstrating, getting the job done without a lecture, stipulation or a shout Remember your Maths O-Level and driving test? Quests for personal fulfilment are what you're all about! Whether athletics and training on the track - English Schools, Cosford - competitions that inspired you so Back in those days, "Lyn The Pin", you really could go, go, go! A love of ice skating shared with Dawn and I - you took us every single week To Silver Blades - lights dimmed, bent low, cross-overs, speed skating. Not for the meek! Your love of being active definitely didn't stop there... World of Sport TV wrestling was a Saturday afternoon family affair. Trying holds on each other, losing rounds against Revere - with legs over head Pinning Dawn and I to the carpet, shouting "SUBMIT" and winning later rounds instead! Bet younger nieces, nephews,...friends don't know the shapes you liked to throw Jackson moonwalks, disco, bodypopping - to the nightclubs we would go. Along with reggae and calypso dancing, these skills came naturally Practiced in the front room, with all the family. Remember those sing-a-longs with Revere, Mike and Windie on the guitar? And Trojan records playing on the 'gram - with the door left ajar? In would come Gangan, hips swinging to the beat... With Tats behind, hips swinging too and copying her feet? Diligent as ever, to earn money, you got a paper round And delivered papers, through sun, wind and rain - when snow was on the ground. On leaving school, you thought long and hard about the path you might pursue... Coincidence? Fate? Like your older sisters, nursing beckoned you! You made it your vocation, your passion and your life Looking after patients old and young - through ups and downs and strife... With colleagues, bringing compassion, dignity, TRUE nursing care in equal measure And Christmas spirit, Easter fun, New Year's celebrations - that kind of pleasure... To relieve the stress, to escape the weather: weeks in St Kitts/Nevis, your annual mission Despite being born a Brit and loving it here, at heart you are a true Kittician So off to St Kitts you would go... anticipating evenings on the strip... And views from Bird Rock balcony of a magnificent cruise ship! Relaxing in the sunshine, going down the bay, just sleeping in till late... Enjoying all the Caribbean food you loved - chicken, fish, rice and peas, whatever on your plate... Following carnival in your clown suit, attending the Prime Minister's Ball... Sharing time with De, Brods and Tats, Mike and Myrt, your family - you savoured it all. Never afraid to let inner feelings show, you wore your heart upon your sleeve... Meeting Daniel, teeny baby small and prem - tears of worry, I believe... Tears of joy at family weddings - for Chris and Helen, Rachael and Raymond, to name but two... Tears of sorrow for Ellie - Tony witnessed your compassion years back on meeting you... The Libran sign we share - I think balances your feelings splendidly... Concentrate and I can see your face, your smile so full of glee... Listen and I hear that belly laugh escape your every pore... As someone at a family gathering shares a joke, a quote, a mannerism and more... I could go on and on - I pinch myself, yet still I can't believe... Let's change the subject and marvel at all you've managed to achieve... Just by being here and being you, our lives have been enriched in a positive way So thank you Lyn, I'll cherish these thoughts for many, many a day. You lit up the room on entry with your greetings and arms stretched wide You've earned your angel wings, so go ahead and wear them with great pride With bear hugs, love and kisses, rest in eternal peace "Lyn The Pin" - God Bless You From me, Ca, or as you so often say, Niece Number 2 x 26th to 29th March 2021 Carol (Posted by Carol)