first version without dying moments

second version without carwash and bike

[pause - look around for eye contact - deep breath]

i was about 4 and steve 3 in dads BMW when he asked [pause]

“how much do you love your dad”

i said “i love you this much” [gesture with hands}

and steve said “i love you this much” [gesture even wider]

[pause]

and i remember saying to dad

[pause]

“i love you bigger than the whole. wide. universe.” [pause]

precious memories. [look at steve]

[pause]

[optional] very. precious. memories [looking at 3 separate sections of audience with each word]

[pause]

at a similar age was another regular experience in dads car.

nothing was more thrilling than going to the car wash.

[pause]

dad would line up the car, and we would slowly move in towards the giant blue rollers.

the suspense would build

and when the rollers finally started up, and enveloped us

dad would join in the mayhem.

after being attacked from both directions,

the rollers would stop,

and to the side would appear large vertical dryers.

and dad would anounce

DEATH TO THE HUMA-JINGS !

[glance at steve]

[pause]

i dont think we ever did get a straight answer to what a huma-jing is.

[pause]

And at Nackington farm. Dad had was doing a job there.

Steve and I both had BMX bikes

there were only this big [gesture with hands]

Dad and his workmen had built this long concrete slope

and Steve and I dared Dad to ride one of our bikes down it.

So there was this 6ft 5 man on Steves tiny yellow BMX bike

bombing it down this slope

and at the end of the slope Dad crashed it.

It took him at least half a minute before he got up.

and Steve and I were in hysterics.

[pause]

it was inevitable dad would injure himself with this stunt…

but that was typical dad…

a bit of physical pain wasn’t going to matter,

if it meant his boys would get a good laugh.

[pause]

I hadn’t seen dad for quite a while when Jenny told me the news he had a massive stroke.

and when I got to the hospital he had lost the ability to speak, and was unable to open his eyes.

[pause]

but when dad knew that we were reunited

he squeezed my hand hard, and managed to make a sound.

[pause]

and that means so much to me.

[pause]

we were all with dad in his last few hours.

and now he has died.

[pause]

but our relationship to each other can never die.

[pause]

dad is no longer with us in this world

but that should not matter

[pause]

because our love is.

bigger.

than.

the whole. wide. universe.