Saturday, December 10, 2016
My Father in Law Mike was an incredible chap. Always laughing and enjoying our Family gatherings. Every time I drove the 1300 miles from Florida with the Family, he would always appreciate us coming up. Christmas was always fun. It would start with Sue taking the slice of toast and cup of coffee to Mike in bed. Followed about an hour later with the shuffle of the slippers and slops of coffee on the floor! Mike would then turn on the old stereo to play the Christmas music as we opened gifts. Sue would clear the wrappings with Caroline and Mike and I would be off the closet under the stairs to gather the elaborate Christmas Table stored behind some rotting coats ! Phew, never forget that smell ! We would then spend the next hour putting up the table before the rest of the Family would arrive... The small living room in Box Grove would be packed with Caroline, myself and our Family, Paul, Steven and their Families. Oh, and who could forget Olga and the priceless gifts ! So many laughs ... Who has the clock now !! Mike would always love his trips to Florida. Up by 11am ish ish ! Then off to the closet Marina. He would spend hours watching the boats coming in and out. Anything that meant boats was a passion. I could go on and on ! I will miss the times we had together that ended with a Rum and Coke and a great discussion. With Love Mark FitzGerald ......
