My happiest memories are walking hand in hand with my daddy. I know a lot of people grow out of that, but I never felt the need, holding his hand or in his big bear hug is the safest place to be. When the kids at school are mean, when you're sick, when the dog dies, he was my safe refuge. When I was far away and homesick I'd call him to hear his calming voice, any time I was anxious about anything I speak to him and he knew just what to say, sometimes he didn't say anything he just stayed with me on the phone. It's hard to think I won't come into the house with him sitting by the fire place in "his chair" anymore, or call him and hear him on the end of the phone to give me strength to fight another day. My dad is a very proud man, I'm sure many of you will know. He doesn't do things by half measures. "To be the best" was his motto. "A job worth doing is worth doing right" and of course "If you want something done, ask busy person." I remember him waking us up at the crack of dawn to come and help on the farm mucking out on a Saturday, or picking mushrooms after school and at the weekend. There was no such thing as a lay-in in our house "sure the day is half over"! I'm sure a few of my cousins will know this well! Any sleepovers at our house mean helping out somewhere. He taught us what hard work is and that anything good takes sweat and elbow grease. William and I reminisced on Christmas day about picking mushrooms before Christmas dinner while mum slaved over the cooker and then we'd have all the work done so we could all sit down and relax. Then there was the animals, how he loved all his animals and named them all and spoke of them fondly like the rest of the family. Blackbird, Bella, Tweedie, Money, Chan - his prize Aberdeen Angus and Limousine Cattle. I have to say "prize" you see because in case you didn't already know they won lots of awards! Best of Breed, Show Champion and Reserve Champion. Bernard Mairs does like a red rosette, and a big cup or plate is even better! I had the pleasure of attending all the cattle shows with him one year. Daddy's little girl washed down the cows, dressed them, brushed their tails and made them look pretty for all these events. Anything to spend more time with dad and make him proud, he loved it when we took an interest in his projects and I was so proud to see him do so well. Mum started helping out this year and he has never been so proud of her, when dad wasn't so able to go down the farm mummy went and fed the bulls, stroke the cows, watered the ducks and geese and gathered the eggs. Daddy was so proud of her! "I'll make a farmers wife of her yet" , he'd joke. Despite daddy's failing health they have been able to enjoy happy times together on the farm or cosy by the fire. We didn't always have a lot growing up, but then we didn't need much. We had each other and the love in our house was brimming over. The door is always open and the kettle is always on the stove. I remember listening to stories of all the sleepover in our hotpress before I was born. Always a wee bit sad as the youngest child - and youngest cousin that I missed out on these festivities. Children fitted in to the 9 shelves of our hotpress to come and visit Uncle Bernard and Aunty Florence. Daddy would say, "they were our children before we had you". That how he thought of all my big cousins - just an extension of our family. But he loved us so much his four children. Sometimes we would joke about our names being 1 to 4 because everyone constantly called us the wrong name, he would say but Grace, you aren't number 4, you are number 1, number 1 in my heart - because you're all number 1 to me. He loved to have people over and for our family gatherings. Especially our visits to his sister Thomasina's on Christmas Eve/Mummy's birthday. Daddy loved music too and he had a very eclectic taste from country and western to classical. He encouraged us all to play musical instruments and sing, but even more so when we sang for him or others (any excuse to show off talents of the Mairs household). I think his favorite get together was at Uncle Colin and Aunty Linda's a few years back for the reunion when everyone got out the instruments and sang some songs in the kitchen. Do you remember? Happy times! No matter how he much he loved us all, there is one person he loves more. Jesus. Daddy loved the Lord with all his heart and always encouraged us to do the same. He took my by the hand to church and to Sunday school and Wee Meeting and Girls Brigade and Youth Fellow ship and to anything was going to hear the Word of God and the Gospel Preached. He told everybody about his friend Jesus. "For I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of Christ unto Salvation for everyone who believes." Many a theological debate has been had in our house over the years, all in good humor, in Daddys mission to share the Good News with everyone. In hospital over the years, of which there has been a few trips, dad always shared with those at his bedside, in recent weeks as his health declined he walked steadfastly with the Lord and shared with everyone he met. Right now it all hurts, but I know my daddy is in Heaven now at peace and not suffering anymore. He wasn't afraid to leave us. I held his hand at his bedside the last few days and he was ready to go. For everyone who wrote to him or send messages, voice clips and videos, he heard them all and took comfort in all the support he had. I know we will meet again and we'll walk hand in hand daddy and his little girl.