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On Wednesday 7th May, Sharon Lynch was laid to rest. Her daughter on the right would sometimes call her dad pa. A nice old and familiar term for a father. Sharon was definitely ma, a mother figure for so many.
I have known Sharon for a number of years, since the age of 13-14 years old. She watched us make some horrendous fashion mistakes, and our excitement about a night out when we were old enough to do it. If we asked her opinion about whether something looked good, or if it suited us, she would tell us straight that she didn’t like it and to try something else. Rather than force her opinion as to what the reasons were, she would just leave us with the time to re-think it.
I can honestly say, I never heard her raise her voice to her children, {two girls and a boy} she just had a particular look on her face and would use fewer words, enough to let you know she’d be talking about it later.
She was never in a rush and we always felt relaxed around her. Sharon always had time to listen to all of us. We sometimes would eat in the pie mash shop that her sister Rita had,and as other customers started to come in she would move us to a corner so that we wasn't in the way, we'd only have to leave if it got too busy. It was one of the few places that we didn't get thrown out of.
The coronavirus prevented me from being at her funeral, or standing alongside so many who social distanced to bid her farewell on her final journey, as I have a high risk family member.
When I look back on my life I can remember a few parents like Sharon who were instrumental to my experiences and what I learned about family values and the importance of looking out for each other.
Rest in peace Sharon, it's been good to know you.
