My fathers birthday

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:23 am

My father born 13 july 1947.

His Catholic Irish mother fled from Dublin to London with the shame of being pregnant and unmarried, she falsified his birth certificate giving a family members name as the father so it would look as if she were married on the document.

Later she met and married a man who couldnt forgive her the sin of having had a child out of wedlock, he beat her and my father daily.

At just 10 years old my father was sent to stay with famly in Ireland to 'recover'.

He later returned to London and married my mother they had 4 children, but my father had bi-polar disorder then called manic depression and found day to day life with a busy family too much and he and my mother split up but remained very good friends.

He eventually re-married and his new wife had a child they seemed very happy but the depression was there lurking in his mind.

It caught up with him in the end and in 1985 he couldnt see past the darkness and so he committed suicide.

He was just 38 years old, today is his birthday and he would have been 62.

I wonder if he lived how would he be now with new treatments would he have lived a happier life. I think he would have loved his grandchildren and maybe if he had lived others would have too.

I think about him today... I think of the joys and the sadness,

Happy birthday dad.

Attached files

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:04 am

A very sad story Victoria. I hope you find comfort.

farmer giles · Post by **farmer giles** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:19 am

my thoughts are with you victoria happy birthday to your father :-6:-6

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:31 am

Thats too bad Victoria. Im sorry for the hurt you and your family feel. Its happened in my family. A brilliant man just couldnt cope anymore and he gave up. Has it taught you anything, given you insight into your own life in anyway ?

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:34 am

very sad Victoria!

god bless!

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:19 am

The hardest of lives can still show wonderful results, such as your father's life and his children. Happy birthday, Dad. :yh_flower

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:09 am

So sorry Victoria, this must weigh down your heart every year.:-4

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:38 am

Thanks for sharing that tribute to your dad.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:44 pm

I am here, Victoria, to share your birthday greetings with your dad. He was a beautiful little boy...........I assume here that photo is of him.

I found out not too long ago that my paternal grandfather's dad deserted his wife and kids in the early 1900's. He just diasppeared from their lives. Nobody ever knew what happened to him. He could have moved to another state and raised another family, or passed away. A sad mystery. My grandfather (his son) was always good to us grandchildren and I cherish my memories of him. I wasn't aware of this feeling of loss he must have kept inside.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:04 pm

Big hugs for you, victoria.

:yh_hugs:yh_hugs

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:56 pm

Thankyou everyone for your kind words and thoughts.

with everything thats been going on in our family lately I didnt know if anyone else would be pausing to think of him and thats why I posted.

Of course he left this life far too young but I am honoured that I had time with him forever grateful for the love he gave and the things he taught me.

He knew we loved him but the darkness of depression was just too much for him.