When we arrived in Perth nearly 10 years ago, our adventure was tinged with sadness as we left all our family back home in Northern Ireland, more so the fact that my granda had said that if we wanted to see him, we would have to travel back there as, having never been on an aeroplane, he wasn't ever going to fly to Perth! 

 

The following Easter, we got the dreaded phone call that granda had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  After months of treatment, phone calls and  hospital appointments, we got a phone call that was going to change our lives!   My granda called to say that he had an appointment......at Belfast airport, London airport, Singapore airport and Perth airport!!  The journey that was never going to take place was all planned and suitcases were packed!!   We had the most amazing time sharing our new lives with our grandparents.  After returning home, we found out that the cancer had spread to the bladder.  More treatment followed and, indeed 2 more visits Down Under!!  It was in early 2009 granda was given the all clear from the bladder cancer, but just a month or so later, after collapsing at the shops, he was rushed to hospital.  More tests and sadly this wasn't going to be the results that we were looking for.   Just 6 weeks later, my granda closed his eyes for the last time.

 

We are all so very thankful for the times that we had together both in Northern Ireland and here in Australia.  Granda said that it was the best move that we ever made, making my mum and dad feel better for bringing their 4 children 12,000 miles to the other side of the world.

 

On my grandas first visit, he bought this akubra and every time we went to somewhere new, he bought a pin which he proudly placed around the band.  I thought I would wear his hat in his memory.

 

We think about you every day and miss you more than words can say.  Precious memories.....

 

John Steele.   08 Aug 1939  -  29 Apr 2009