Bye Boompa

Boompa's funeral was a chance to sit and hear about his life, see photos of him and celebrate his life together with family and friends.

It was nice to see family when we arrived. Even with Covid restrictions in place, we chose to hug and mourn together. I don't know how you can go to a funeral of a loved one and not hug when they and you are sad. I understand the rules and the restrictions, but it's just too hard to not help comfort each other. 

We sat down at the front for the start of the service. The kids did pretty well during the service, mostly sitting quietly. Eliza sat next to Aly, Alexander sat next to me and Daniel sat next to Maddie who was next to Ryan. It was so nice to hear so many stories about Malcolm - some that we knew and some that I hadn't heard about. Everyone spoke so well and it was amazing how many times I thought 'That sounds like James.' So much of his dad is carrying on through him which I love.

Aunty Megan spoke on behalf of her and Aunty Julie. Some thing that reminded me of James were:

-Always inquisitive and keen to help others

-making peanut butter and honey sandwiches - something that James introduced to me

-a love of driving holidays

-his love for his family

We had to giggle when hearing stories about jokes played on Aunty Megan (being the younger sister), secrets that he shared and just the cheeky side of him.

Next up James spoke about his Dad. Boy was it hard to hear him talk, however, James spoke so very well and clearly. Things that he said that made me think of James were:

-having a loving and honest marriage, with a selfless love for each other

-to be a great day - Malcolm believed James was capable of anything he put his mind to

-a love of motorsport.

Jenny found it hard to talk. I held Ryan's hand during this time to help support him too. James helped read most of Jenny's speech because she just couldn't do it and then she finished it off. Something Malcolm passed onto James was

-knowing and showing that Dad's weren't incapable of cooking, cleaning and parenting.

Then Julie spoke. She spoke so amazingly well and clearly. It was just beautiful to hear her words. Her heart is breaking but she still showed so much strength! Her words reminded me of James too

-a love of cars

-BBQ dinners, lunches and socials cooked on the BBQ

-a love of family. She mentioned that James and Jenny have grown up to be loving and compassionate adults and parents and he was proud of who they have become

-a love of travel

-if Julie doubted herself, he'd say 'of course you can do it' and support her along the way. James is the same with me.

Jill from VMR then spoke about Malcolm there and she spoke so nicely of him - about his commitment to his job, his friendly nature and willingness to help. They receive a 5 year badge after 5 years of service and Malcolm was keen to get his in September but he unfortunately didn't make it so she very kindly gave him her badge in honor of all his hard work and service.

There was a lovely slide show of photos of Malcolm which James, Julie and Jenny had put together which was so nice to see. Some photos of him as a little boy and some of him as a dad and as a Boompa. Here are some of my favourites.

                                                                            Malcolm on his Dad's lap (he looks so much like his Dad!)

                                                                                                            Malcolm with James

                                                                                                            I LOVE this photo!

                                                                                                                Look at the hair

                                                       I sent this photo to Ruth, Charlie and Tim to show them that they were in our thoughts too.

                                        Malcolm loved to listen to James' band play when he came to visit. So glad he got to go to a few gigs.

Such a lovely family photo

 

We heard a letter from Malcolm that he wrote 3 weeks before he passed away. His friend read it out to us. His dying wish was that we will support and look after those he loved most - James, Jenny and Julie. I will do my best to do that Malcolm. 

 

After the service, I paused to look at the photos on display.

As I looked, Eliza started to cry and broke down. She was just so sad. The boys followed Ryan and the girls out and I sat down with Eliza and just held her as she cried. It is so heart breaking to not be able to do anything but hold your kid. She couldn't speak, she just cried. I told her that Boompa loved her, that I missed him too and that she was so special to him. We went up and looked at the photos and things on the table and I just held her. Eventually James came and took her to go for a walk in the garden. She settled and wanted to give Nana J a cuddle too. 

 

We headed back to Nana J's place for lunch and time with family and friends. The kids enjoyed playing together and we got to chat with family. It was a nice way to end a tough day. Back at our place it was a really special time of James looking at photos of Boompa and showing them to the kids. 

 

On the drive home I wrote a poem for Malcolm to help process my thoughts. Malcolm will be dearly missed. There have already been times where I catch myself upset. Times when I have randomly thought of him, or had a connection. My heart breaks for Julie, losing her love, her best friend. My heart breaks for James and Jenny, losing their Dad, their support. My heart breaks for the kids, losing their Boompa, someone they loved, laughed with, chatted with. He fought an 8 month battle with cancer with strength, with dignity, with selflessness. It feels unfair. It feels all too quick. It feels confusing and hard. I don't know how to support James, Julie and Jenny, but I know that God is with us, that God is a good God and that he will give us peace. I don't know where Malcolm is now. I hope and pray that in his last moments he realised he wanted to be friends with Jesus, but I don't know if he did. But I do know that we were blessed to know him here on Earth, that we were blessed to be family, to have his advice and help with so many things and I know that he will be greatly missed.

 

 

Malcolm Noble

Malcolm Noble was my father-in-law
An amazing and caring dad,
A wonderful husband to Julie
And the best Boompa our kids could have.

I have known him for 12 years
I wish I knew him for more
He was a man who would put others first
A quality I adore.

A love of racing cars
is something that he shared
With James and now our kids
Knowing who won the race, he cared.

He travelled down to Tasmania
To watch the cars with Daniel and James
I’m sad he didn’t make it to New Zealand
To share the experience again  

When James and I got married
He told us don’t let the sun go down on a fight
This is something we have tried to apply
Each and every night.

I will miss hearing James
Giving his dad a quick phone call
To talk about how to fix something
Or get his tips on things like how to build our back wall.

Our paved area out the back
Is now a special place
Because Malcolm helped James create it
He helped each brick find its space.

He has passed on a love of sandwiches
With peanut butter and honey
Something I had never tried before
But it actually is really yummy.

We shared a love of seafood
For dinner or out for lunch
Malcolm’s bbq garlic prawns
We really would love to munch!

Malcolm modelled to James
That a husband can help out in different ways
He taught us tricks for meals
Like leek in most things and Vegemite in bolognese.

He took James and Jenny shopping
At one stage he was a stay at home dad
He could fix almost anything
That was a special skill he had.

Every morning he would do his Wheel Word Puzzle
And write down how many words he could see
Then he would check yesterday’s answers
With some help from Julie.

He always loved to sit and play a board game
Scattergories, Boggle or Greed
He introduced me to darts
And would give tips when in need.

He loved his pet cats and dogs
That he has had over the years
Eva, Zsa Zsa, Bennie and Jadie
And Charlie who loves a scratch behind the ears.

Malcolm you are so very missed,
By so many who loved you
You have impacted so many
By your kind and generous life and all that you did do.

We love you and wish that you were still here
A life taken way too soon
But you live on in our hearts and memories
And those will continue to bloom.

Thank you for loving me as a daughter
Thank you for just being there
Thank you for helping raise amazing kids
Thank you for always showing care.

Thank you for setting up the pool at summer time
Thank you for having a chat
Thank you for being an amazing Boompa
Thank you for being a great husband, father-in-law, friend and dad.