To my Dad:-
I’ve been told a fair few times I have your personality - in the best ways (and in the not-so-best ways too!) You shaped my personality and who I am today. My outlook on life, my sense of humour, the way I can always find a laugh and a giggle even when life’s heavy (could really do with that part of you here with me just now) You passed down to me your love of the hills and the lochs, the quiet on starry nights, I’ve lost count of the times we’d just sit outside together and listen to nothingness quite contently. The places you’d show me up the back of beyond where nobody ever really goes, the amount of lessons you taught me in places that felt like no man’s land, no matter where you took me in rain sun or snow - as long as you were there I always felt safe and knew we’d get home just fine.
When I was l younger everyone knew I was daddy’s little girl through and through. It wasn’t unusual to find me in the passenger seat, tagging along on whatever weird and wonderful adventure that day would bring… I’d probably be wearing a wee boiler suit with my hair tied up by a zip tie.. I think through all the bikes, engines, rolling about in dirt and antics we had you’d often forget I am a girl 🤣 And that was us. And that’s what I’ll always remember, you never told me I couldn’t do something, it was always “pick it up and try again”.
One of the last conversations we had, you said: “Oaks, you’re so like me. You’ll do whatever you want when you want to do it — you just need to learn my talent of telling anyone that doesn’t like it to F off.” - in true dad style - And I think that’ll be my outlook on life for the foreseeable. I know we’d clash throughout the years and I know now it was just because I’m so like you.
You were one hell of a Dad, there was only one person in the whole world that had the privilege to call you that, and I’m grateful it was me. I’ll love and miss you for forever and a day, but I’ll carry you with me in all the best bits of who I am
Oakley Carrison
07/09/2025
