Donald Cyril Fidler.

Don't you let anyone make you feel less than you are, you are a smart and beautiful young girl, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

One of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me came from my Grandad when I was about 12 years old.  He's at peace now after passing away earlier this week after suffering from multiple stroke and seizures over the course of a week. He fought for so long to stay with us, but now he can finally sleep peacefully.

His funeral is going to be on Thursday 10th July and the service will be held in Ducklington where he grew up. There are so many people expected to be there as he is well known where he comes from. He was a member of the fire brigade and the boys brigade. He is known by many morris dancers around Oxford and all of the remaining old boys from his wonder years are all anticipated to be there. It's going to be so emotional seeing everyone who has ever been touched by his smile and jokes all coming together to celebrate his life.

He was one of those men that never grew up and that made him special. He always had a twinkle in his eye and jolly red cheeks. As long as I can remember he has always had pure white hair but in his youth his hair was auburn. He always had a story to tell, a poem to recite, a joke to make you laugh. He will be sorely missed by anyone who got to know him. He will be especially missed by his family. He leaves behind his wife, four children and many grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.

Now I speak to him, specifically. I know he's not here to read this but, I need to write something somewhere to him to make up for not being able to see him in his last days...

I love you so much Grandad, I'll miss you every day until we meet again, to talk about poetry and tell jokes, up the ladder and over the wall. Thank you for teaching me that poems aren't boring, for making me remember The Ducks Ditty and for being the kind of Grandad that a grandchild wants. Please watch over Nan and keep her safe, she's going to miss you so much, after all she's spent most of her life with you. Say hello to my other Grandad and Aunty Tracy. You're with Wolf and Roly now too, I know you're not alone and out of pain, so just know that I love you so much.

Here's a poem that me and my Grandad used to say whenever we met...

The Ducks Ditty

All along the backwater, 
Through the rushes tall, 
Ducks are a-dabbling, 
Up tails all!

Ducks' tails, drakes' tails, 
Yellow feet a-quiver, 
Yellow bills all out of sight 
Busy in the river!

Slushy green undergrowth 
Where the roach swim-- 
Here we keep our larder, 
Cool and full and dim.

Everyone for what he likes! 
WE like to be 
Heads down, tails up, 
Dabbling free!

High in the blue above 
Swifts whirl and call-- 
WE are down a-dabbling 
Up tails all!