It’s been a crazy few years in my life. I wanted to start this year right and thank some of the people that have supported me and been there for me. So, in no particular order….
Dad, it has been a crazy time for you and of course, I sit here knowing exactly how you feel. You were the first man in my life, and I am constantly amazed at the stoicism and integrity that you demonstrate daily. Our trips together have been amazing. To spend that 1:1 time together has been an absolute gift. In a lifetime, children get to usually see parents when they visit them. By being here with you, I have been given the greatest gift of all. 1:1 time with you. Not every child is that lucky. Thank you for everything. Love you and yes, I will always worry about you!!
Lee and Clare, my brother and sister-in-law. Thank you for continued love and support. Thank you for all you did for Mum and Dad. I can never repay that debt. Thank you for all the times we have shared and may we share many, many more. Love you both.
John and Caroline, Alan, and Elaine…I don’t know a life without you in it. You are the oldest friends of my parents. I too, consider you close friends. Mark and I have shared so many great memories with you, here in Australia and in the UK. The experience of sitting at your table, sharing food and wine when we came back to the UK was just perfection. We always had a great time. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for loving Mark and for loving me as you do. Thank you for supporting me with my writing and most of all…thank you for all the love and support to Mum and Dad.
Anthony Brewer, a fellow poetry lover that I have come to know. Dad summed it up when he said that you are one of life’s gentlemen. You truly are. Thank you for your emails. Thank you for your comments on my work and thank you for the support that you have given Dad. I know how much that means to him as well as to me.
Des Friel, you are my late husband’s best friend and I hope you know that I consider you mine too. When I think of the memories through the years, it always makes me smile. You have been to Australia twice and the memories are invaluable. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for your comments and reviews of my writing. Thank you for always reminding me how proud Mark would have been. Thank you for just being there. Much love will always come your way.
Tony and Tracey, Thank you for your unwavering support of my writing. Thank you for making me smile at the memories we have. You were on the end of the phone and on messenger whatever time it was in the UK, and I can’t thank you enough. With love, from my home to yours.
Sheila Hattersley, you are my mother-in-law, but you are my other mum. You are the gift that keeps on giving. You have always treated me as a daughter and that is priceless. Through my mum’s illness and passing, you have been an incredible support. You gave me your son to share my life with. I had a blast. Now I share the rest with you. I love you ‘my other mother’.
Mick, my brother from another mother. A big brother in my life. You have been there through the most traumatic couple of years of my life. You have been on the phone. You came out here. You were my UK go-to guy to get information out, all while you were dealing with the loss of your brother. You put others first. That’s a precious commodity. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything you have done for me and all you do for Mum. Love you.
Kev, thank you for all the support that you give. Thank you for being there for your brother at a time when he needed you. Family sticks together and you did that for him. Love always.
Two of my most special people are no longer here.
Mum, your support and love through my loss of Mark and venture into an author’s world was something else. They say mother love is unconditional. I got a winner with you. We look alike, sound alike, think alike and are alike. You have always been there for me, no matter what’s happened in my life. If a woman can have a female soulmate, then you are mine. Thank you for all the love and support through Marks life. Thank you for having me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for everything. I miss you.
Mark, I miss you more than you will ever know. You loved me fiercely and passionately and made me feel so safe. I wish you were here to see how my work has all come together. I wish you were here to be my ideas man. I wish you were here to talk to everyday. I know how excited you would be and that is the legacy from you that I must remember. You supported me so much through my writing courses and I will always be sad that you never saw the fruition of it all. I hope I made you proud. 831.
