Dennis

Hi Gang

I know, I know ... I’ve been M.I.A for a while now. Well, not completely. I have been around, stalking your blogs, vlogs and instas, but I haven’t been here with a post for some time. I know I said that one of my 30 for 30 goals was to post more frequently on here as my “number 17 - regular hobby” but life has gotten in the way. 

Well, one particular life to be exact. 

Yesterday, we said our final goodbyes to my gorgeous grandad. He passed away peacefully earlier this month, but there had been many long and exhausting days and nights at the hospital, sat with him and keeping him comfortable. 

Like all losses, ours feels significantly difficult to comprehend. My grandad was a fighter, so resilient that we all joked that he would probably outlive all of us. 

So today I want to talk about him. I may be biased but, as my favourite person, I feel everyone should know a little more about Dennis John Goddard ❤️. 

Dennis was 93 last August. After saying he only wanted to get to 90 to surpass the age his sister was, his 90th birthday was a lovely day that we’ll cherish. We spent the day celebrating with family, long lost relatives and a cake in the shape of a post box, homemade by my bestie Charlotte. My grandad was very proud to have been a postman for 26years. He told anyone and everyone how much he enjoyed it, how he was the best sorter in the office and how he didn't want to go, but was made to leave - back when retiring at 65 was mandatory. Driving around Sheffield, my grandad would always point out the places where he delivered the post. It’s nice that there are now so many places in my hometown that will remind me of him. 

My grandad on his 90th birthday 🎂 

We were asked by the celebrant what Dennis would consider his greatest achievement. We all instinctively said ‘his family’. He was such a proud family man. I remember being in the back of an ambulance with him several years ago, listening to him telling the paramedics that he wanted for nothing, he had a wonderful family who looked after him well. The only thing that would make his life better was to have his wife back. Yes, I was crying too. 

My Nan passed away almost 12 years ago, and she was such a dominant personality that I’m almost ashamed to say that 90% of the things I know about my grandad, I’ve learnt in that time. Like how he had a little sister who passed away when she was 2 years old. How his brother only had half a little finger, although I’ll now never find out why. How he worked in a foundry mill with his best friend, after leaving school. How he was the fire officer at the mill (but told people he was a fireman 😂). How he volunteered for the Army during the WWII despite working in a protected industry. How he spend two years in India during the war years. And how all his comrades walked into the fighting in Burma, but my grandad had a medical issue that meant he had to stay behind. My grandad - being the humble, honest and good gentleman he was, felt guilty for that. He never saw any of his army friends again. 

My grandad, approx 21 years old (front left)

That day of serendipity meant my grandad came home, and fell in love with his best friends niece. Yeah actually, that does sound weird, but my Nan was only five years younger. Promise 😂. If it hadn’t of been for that cyst on his head, my grandad might not have come home, my Nan would have married some random Bert and I wouldn’t be here 🤷🏼‍♀️. Little things like that blow my mind. 

My grandparents wedding day 16.02.1952

I’m pleased that, if nothing else, we have adopted his attitude to family. Family is everything. I’m significantly close with my parents and sister (and not just geographically- since I still live at home). I enjoy spending time with my family. I’m sure at times we annoy the hell out of each other, well not me, I’m an angel 😇. But whether it’s a trip to costa for a coffee or a trip abroad to celebrate a birthday, we’re together ❤️. 

Today we all went to the coast together. Bridlington was a place he went frequently in his youth, where he took us when I was a kid, and where we have a lot of memories together. The weather was unseasonably warm and sunny. Literally not a cloud in the sky. It wasn’t quite as bright as my grandads smile but it was still a gorgeous day. 

Bridlington sea front 27.02.19

My grandad had the best smile, which was readily available for anyone and everyone. We called him Smiler - and he was the biggest flirt, just by being his generous, polite and lovely self, even when he felt angry and confused and really not in the mood to smile. 

I know life must go on, but it’s that little less bright and a little more sad without him around.

Although I’m gutted I didn’t get around to asking all the questions I wanted to ask, I’m glad to know everything I did about my grandad. I was lucky to have him for 29 years. I’m working on been more like him going forward. He was the best. so here’s to you Dennis, it’s been smashing 🍻 

❤️

xoxo