jocelynspace: Goodbye Dad & Thank you


Roger Kenneth Ridley - 19-5-1953 to 15-12-2011

My dear Dad passed away on Thursday morning 15th December (local Perth time). We thought he was sleeping peacefully after a difficult night till we noticed all the colour had gone from his face. We were so thankful that his regular carer, Michael, was here as he just took charge and made sure Dad looked comfortable and was laid out properly.

Dad's last few months were so difficult for him and Mum. He deteriorated so rapidly after their visit to us kids in Melbourne last August (to meet his twin Grandsons). At that time he was still talking, eating and walking, but in recent weeks he was immobile, only drinking a few things (like coffee and his favourite tomato juice), and struggling to speak. It was so heartbreaking bringing him home on Wednesday. (He had a difficult journey as he cannot hold up his own head and it fell back during the journey). It took some time for us to calm him down, but by later in the evening he was relaxed and happy watching 'The House of Elliot' on DVD.

I sure feel privileged that I could be here to support my Mum and to spend time with Dad these last days. No one could ask for a better father. He was the one who first told and showed me our Father's love too! He preached the word with such integrity and passion, using stories to touch the heart and light a fire in the soul of anyone who heard him. A couple of his sermon's are online, if you'd like to hear an example! I'll attach a link. If the topic was mission he was even more passionate... being a mission-kid and missionary himself. He took God's word seriously and he and my mum always opened their home and lives to whoever needed them. They have friends from all walks of life, religious faith, sexual orientation - none of these mattered to my Dad who just loved everyone he met. We have been flooded with phone calls, visits, messages and facebook posts (over 50 just on my wall!) of those who fondly remember Roger. I'm working on a poem that I'll put on my writing site. It has been hard to write through all this, but my Dad was just so special that the words just come flooding out!

Dad and I had a pretty special relationship. We were a bit like two peas in a pod! (It often used to frustrate my family, especially Mum...) We loved the same kind of things and enjoyed visiting Art galleries and museums together as we both loved to read all the citations!! I remember all the special times I spent with Dad. He took me to Melbourne Zoo for the day when I was having trouble saying goodbye to Panton Hill. We went on a month-long road-trip from Adelaide to Darwin while Dad did deputation for Church Missionary Society. He met my plane in Frankfurt last year and we spent 3 days in Dresden together (he made me wait half an hour so he could see the other locomotive on the model railway in Grosse Garden!). Then earlier this year I took him up to New Norcia (a monastic town North of Perth).

He'll be a hard yard-stick to measure up to. He was gentle, considerate and kind. He encouraged as well as provided guidance and fair discipline and most of all he just loved my Mum to bits and pieces!!

Dad, I miss you already, but I know you're in a better place now. Father, I thank you for giving us Roger Kenneth Ridley for 58 wonderful years, you obviously need him more than we do, and I know you'll welcome him as a good and faithful servant. I know you're singing at the top of your lungs in Brandenburg Praise room now Dad. You've had a raucous reunion with Howard, your parents and others. Dad, you helped me become the woman I am today, a servant of Jesus and a lover of life! Thank you, and see you soon!

Joce xo xo xo xo