Goodbye Cap…

Good morning everyone,

I hope that you’re having a lovely start to the weekend 🙂

On the 31st of March 2023, my cherished grandfather, David John Royston Hopkin, sadly passed away. I want to continue exploring the topic of grief with you all here on the page, so that’s what we are going to do in today’s blog.

Hello & Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!

Oh Cap, losing you so close after losing Nana still doesn’t feel real to any of us, it’s as if we have truly been dealt an unfortunate hand in the decisions of fate, but such is the case sometimes in life I suppose. Back in April 2023, we laid our hero to rest in what was an absolutely beautiful and incredibly touching funeral, only the best for such an inspirational man.

When I was growing up, if I wasn’t at my house, you could find me over my grandparents. Nana and Cap were the best grandparents that you could ever have asked for, they spoiled me and my brother more than words could ever say, they didn’t spoil us with money or materialistic objects, but more so with love and care – gifting us with a childhood full of memories that we’ll carry with us for the rest of our lives.

Accepting that you are no longer here with us still feels like such an alien concept to me – I still stop by your house when I drive home sometimes, thinking that you’ll be sitting in your trusty chair, waiting to greet me with a “Hello James bach” and then on my way out, offering me one of your endless stash of choc ices. Although you may no longer be physically here with us, I know that you will always be here in spirit, guiding us along our lives as you so perfectly did.

Growing up, you and Nana were our heroes, that is nothing they the two of you wouldn’t do for us. No matter the problem, you’d always find the solution, you were the literal definition of a role model and the perfect grandfather. While I know that our time together may have now come to an end, we can find solace in the fact that you and Nana are now reunited again, you’re back together with your soul mate, I don’t think that any of us could ask for more in life.

Cap was the perfect embodiment of a gentleman, no matter the toruble that you were experiencing, he would always be on hand to fix it. He was kind, polite and a sheer pleasure to everybody that was lucky to have met him. Plus Cap had that special wit, he had that little glint in his eye and his jokes really could make you chuckle.

If I’m honest, I’m not ready to fully say goodbye yet, but I probably never will be, that’s quite often the case with these kinds of things. I mentioned a similar thing when writing my tribute to my grandmother only a couple of weeks back, but I want to be as open and honest as I can with you all, so I’ll try to keep you updated on my experiences navigating through this challenging time.

Thank you for being the best grandfather that anybody could have asked for – it’s an honour to be known as your grandson. I just hope that I’m doing you proud down here, I really do. Be sure to give Nana a big cwtch from me.

You were, are and will always be a hero to anybody who was lucky enough to have met you.

Love you forever and always,

Your JC ❤️

Thank you all for reading and I hope you have a lovely day!

James