for dear Tom
Always down the allotment with me, in the past and the future. I started off in the plot 45 next to him in 2005, whilst Maggie was pregnant with Sandy
As a newbie everyone wanted to ask Tom, but he wasn't there to chat, but to work. Best advice he gave me, and the only real advice or steer one needs - 'Aach sure Johnny, what can you do, just tap away' - a total digging machine from the Rebel County...
'Hiya Johnny, hows the care?' he'd ask everytime, knowing what was important. We chatted a lot over the years, more when he retired - about gardening, the weather, his war with the pigeons and the rats, trees, nature and Ireland... I remember Katie introducing me to his son in the ward, saying "they spent a lot of time putting the world to rights"... I'd said immediately, not wanting to make any claim "Well, not putting the world to rights, just passing the time". A beautiful big Irish Atlantic soul.
I shared this poem with Katie, and with Tom, in the ward. It's always meant a lot to me, and it means a lot more to me now.. And the message I take, from this and from Tom?
Do what you can... whilst you can.
For Tom, xx