Dearest Cleo
I hope you are well, I was sorry to hear that you had had a virus in the week and had missed a day at school but you looked fine yesterday so hopefully you are now back to your best.
The unseen university have asked that I hold on to someone I love through an object that reminds me of them, I have chosen your Great Granddad Jimmy. I kept the, I don’t know what they call them, but it’s the booklet that they give you so you can sing along with the hymns, when you go to a funeral, and the last thing he gave me, a bottle of Tullamore Dew.
I drew a portrait of him in charcoal from a photograph taken about a year ago and this is it.
Figure 1 My old Fella, Charcoal on A3 Watercolour paper
He has been sitting on the wall for a week or two now and his smile seems to me to get a little bit brighter when I play music, especially Irish music.
They say it is an ill wind that blows no one any good, and when I think about it now, it has put me more in touch with my emotions; my Dad would have liked that, that he could teach even the smart one things.
The tears are drying slowly but the expressiveness will remain with me forever.
Don’t fret for me girl, you seen me yesterday, so you know I am back on the horse, but occasionally I think of the part of me that died when I am alone and it feels happier with each passing day.
All my love
Mickos xxx
Dear Cleo 