Final farewell to Jim Gracie

A day of tears, sadness, laughter, some pain, singing, story telling and lots more laughter.

Today the Gracie clan said a final farewell to Jim (my father-in-law) who died of lung cancer on 24 April 2010.

A good friend of Jim's took us out in his boat. Tanya read the poem from the memorial, Miss me, but let me go. We had a nip of Jim's favourite whisky. And we each scattered some of his ashes into St Andrew's Bay.

It was sad but funny too. Especially when the kids shouted, 'argh muuuuummmmm, grandad's in my eye'; it was a windy day!

Afterwards we went to Tanya, Casey and Jack's camp site in Ceres. It's a Fife version of the jungle camp from 'I'm a celeb get me out of here'.

We played rounders in the field...lots of competition. I'm not naming names, you know who you are. Tanya did an epic dive for the final stump and smashed her leg on Jamie (the pic shows the aftermath). There was lots of concerned 'oooohs' and cuddles; apart from Sarah who laughed uncontrollably on the grass...oh for at least 5 minutes!! It was a an ambitious dive :o)

Back to the camp site for some beef stout stew or chilli; drinking; lots of singing; story-telling; laughter and tears.

It was a great, great day. The Gracie's do fun very well. Jim would have loved it.


Miss me, but let me go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free

Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go

For this is a journey that we must all take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home

When you are lonely, and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - but let me go