Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick has reached out to the public with a touching tribute to his mother Rita who died last week aged 92.
He confided that he has been feeling alone in his grief, buoyed only by the memories of last Christmas day which he spent with his mum.
And he explained how Rita's physical health had deteriorated leaving her with her bead bowed, so he lay at her feet on the floor as she sat in her chair while they chatted the day through.
In his message to the public on social media, Noel thanked his mum for believing in him when he felt no one else did, for supporting him when the pressures built and for reminding him that life is to be lived to the fulles t.
He said: "My dear Mammy Rita passed away on 2-2-22. Sincerest thanks to all of you for your kind wishes for me and my brother and sisters these past few days.
"I loved my mammy beyond words. She believed in me when nobody else did and encouraged me late at night with my studies when I felt all alone.
"I have felt all alone these past few days… but then I remembered that she and I had the most wonderful past Christmas day together.
"She couldn’t look upwards anymore, so I lay at her feet by her chair where she could see me. She knew she was passing soon. She held my hand and whispered that she would always be inside me. I would never be alone.
"I asked her if she had ‘her bags packed ready to go’ and she told me… ‘Sure Noel, where I’m going nobody needs any baggage at all….. In fact, you’re better off without it.’ How right she is.
"Mammy never needed ‘anything’ – because in her serenity and her faith, she already had ‘everything’.
"Mammy was never one for grand’ gestures and nor would she want a fuss now. It was never about her – but rather about what she could do for you. She elevated everyone with her kindness, compassion, empathy and bright wit. Her humility in the face of her greatness is an example to all of us.
"Mammy had absolute faith that she would be reunited with Daddy in heaven and she has been looking forward to perpetual peace in her resting place beside him, where we tucked her in for a good sleep on this past Friday.
"As she said to me when she was tucking me in at night as a child – 'nite nite now… tomorrow will be a lovely day’
"And so, now I give thanks for all the love you gave to our world Mammy Rita.
"As we give you back to the eternal light, your bright light remains with all of us who were lucky enough to share the magnificence of your smile.
"May you rest in perpetual peace. Thank you for everything Mammy. I will love you forever. Nite nite now…Tomorrow will be a lovely day. Because of you. X"
