Sunday Service... West Midlands, England: Memories & Football Matches!

It's been one year since we lost the moment, the life and the legend that will always be our 'Kanga'. The one year anniversary of his untimely death came up so quickly after that unforgettable day in 2021, we must remember that there are no goodbyes. As the sun shone down on Canley Crematorium, we already knew that Kanga wouldn't want us feeling blue. No!

Arriving at Canley early on allowed us to kickstart his anniversary of life, we don't use the 'death' word, Kanga continues to make his presence known in our lives each and everyday. With that presence from the other side, I mean he's constantly switching off the connection between the Wi-FI on the television! Gathering together, we all reunited for that moment of remembrance with a sense of 'how was it already one year?' Completely bonkers! Alongside family, we toasted our 'Kanga' with a cup of 'Shipyard IPA Beer' because that was one of his preferred beverages. Letting off some balloons into the sky, we already knew that the sunshine weather had been sent for us to enjoy. The previous gather just six months previous to that April moment had been 100% awful, the rain pelted down mercilessly and we knew who brought that down! You already know and I say that with the most love. Sharing memories, being together at the graveside had us feeling ever connected. Getting another drink would be the order of my day! Ten Guinnesses! 

I already knew in my heart that Kanga wouldn't want us to be sad on the day of his passing, because hell I was sure that he would be sinking a few in Bablo's Bar. Onto our list of places and people to visit before the match kicked off, myself, younger Brother and Mum only had a limited amount of time. Heading out of Coventry, we made our way closer to Wolverhampton with a short stop in Northfield, Birmingham. We went to see Barry Waters and his daughter Marie, we had met his family on holiday in Turkey some years ago along with Kanga. Barry had travelled to the funeral against all odds to be at the Crematorium to pay his respects. We appreciated Barry and Marie's presence at the funeral just last year, seeing them again was nice on that anniversary moment. Heading to Bilston to see my Grandparents, Aunties and Cousins before their Easter Sunday Roast, that put another cross onto our list. Honestly, I wanted to have a drink! The morning had gone to plan, all places had been visited and respects had been paid. Alright, Kang! 

Arriving at Wolverhampton's own Emerald Club had us surrounded by a loyal sea of white and green football wearing supporters. It was the 'old firm' game between Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, staunch rivals both on and off the pitch they always will be. With a pint of Guinness in hand, what on earth was I doing watching a football match at a supporters club? It had to be done, I was there for the family honour and I was sure the experience would prove entertaining enough. Oh, I wouldn't be mistaken by their passionate nature for their Celtic team, not the Rangers side! Kick off had the social club at fever pitch, the energy could be felt with banter-filled jibes thrown at the Rangers players and fans on the screen! Of course, a few 'Orange' insults were bellowed from several of the supporters mouths but it was in the nature of the game, the rivalry was and will always be intense! Who would score the first goal? Would Glasgow Celtic beat their blue, red and white opposition? Of course, I'll have another pint! Yes!

Raising the roof with their first goal, Glasgow Celtic's victorious goal by 'Greg Taylor' in the 64th minute. Rapturous applause, chanting and pure joy could be felt washing all over the Emerald Club in Wolverhampton. I had noticed that Celtic had some Japanese players, I don't know if their politeness was warranted because the 'old firm' nature of the game didn't call for attention. You already know that 'Daizen Maeda' caught my eye because he just did, I don't need to say anything else about the matter! With that East Asian addition to the match, watching the football wasn't a chore at all, I might even watch another match if some of the players hail from that part of the world. Maybe it was a higher power? Rangers did the dirty on Celtic, scoring a further two goals with vengeance in the 78 and 114th minutes of the game. My younger Brother decided to call it quits, he chose to carry on the festivities at home with his own bottle to toast Kanga. You know that Kanga called those Buckfast shots over to our table from the great above! 

Moving across town to Muldoon's for a social event that had been dedicated to Kanga and Bablo. Another pint of Guinness? Ordering another drink had to be done! Getting into the spirit of thing, the music being played ranged from 'The Corrs' to the usual Irish Rebel songs. People banded around talking about Kanga with affection and a small spread was put on for him and Bablo. It was purely a celebration of life with sadness turned into a reminiscent state of mind, we will always remember with a smile and a hefty back-catalogue of endearing stories. Meeting people that I didn't really know who were speaking so fondly of Kanga felt nice, people had a lighter mood and I was there for that frame of mind. I'm not one for public displays of emotion, it was a celebration of life and we owed that to the departed. Evening turned into night, the time spent at McGhee's was lovely because they don't usually open later on Sundays. The day had been filled with distractions and next stops, it was nice to enjoy one place for a little longer. OK!

Even though certain members of the family weren't present at McGhee's like my younger Brother and Sister away from Wolverhampton, we spoke about the upcoming memorial event that will be at Wolverhampton's Emerald Club. The day in hand passed us by with each place visited, match watched and pint finished, a fitting tribute? I do think! We know that each April 17th will hold something for us, we deal with things differently and that is how life is. From paying our respects in the morning, making those visits before match, the events of the day kept us busy and not sitting down for any longer than needed. Good spirits, flowing drinks and memories shared, a celebration of life as mentioned because as the saying goes 'one less drunk' but with the same spirit and sentiment applied. We can't say that with each year that things will get better, we just have to live our lives with Kanga in mind, he wouldn't want us to be feeling low, humour's never far away! Queue the memorial event, raising drinks to the heavens! Cheers! 

Oh, Celtic Lost! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure