Ode To Me Da

A Tribute To Nico

With the passing of my father a couple of days ago, this week’s Unshackled goes out to him. Nicholas “Nico” Keating.

Stay Unshackled up there, Da.

Ode To My Da

The call came from across the sea, my sisters’ voices softened as if the wrong word might break something fragile. It’s been decades since we lived in the same place, decades of meetings measured in hours rather than years, and yet you’re still there, threaded through the fabric of me.

I remember those Sundays after the split, two buses to Nanny and Ned’s for dinner, the city rolling past our window. Dorky six-year-old me spotting spelling mistakes on Dublin street signs, pointing them out like prize discoveries, you laughing with us all, both of us shaking our heads at the daftness of it.

I remember that trip through the Irish countryside when I was a wide-eyed boy, your friends in tow, and after a few too many drinks a fist fight breaking out. I didn’t see chaos. I saw my Da, the hero, the victor.

I remember teenage debates with you in smoky kitchens, swearing Oasis were better than the Beatles. You disagreed. Years later, I think you probably won that one… but only just.

I remember your impromptu karate dance moves, half comedy, half chaos, that arrived after vodka loosened your spirits. That bit I have definitely inherited.

And I remember the spaces between all of that, the years stretched thin, the visits fewer, the life you lived miles alone. In our family love was always there for the taking. Sadly, you just didn’t take enough of it when it was on offer.

Now, as the tide of your days runs out, I choose to remember the laughter, the bus rides, the silly arguments, the kind-hearted person you wished to be. I remember that you were my Da, and in this moment, that is all that truly matters.

Stay Unshackled, My Friends

Stephen

Disclaimer

As most of you know, I’m currently in Immigration Detention. Any mentoring or support I offer… whether to my fellow detainees or to people beyond these walls… is given freely, with no charge attached. I don’t accept payment for mentoring, whilst I am in custody. The real “reward” is seeing the effort the lads put into becoming the best versions of themselves. My commitment is simple: that anyone I work with here leaves stronger, wiser, and better than they came in. That’s the whole point of rehabilitation, isn’t it?

Now, a quick note for clarity. While voluntary donations (mostly from family and friends) sometimes come in through this writing platform to help me get by, they’re never expected, never required, and never a condition for access. Everything I share… words, support, encouragement… is available to everyone, with or without a donation.