Today – the Glorious 12th as we know it in the UK – is my Dad’s birthday.
Dad was a wonderful gentleman who is missed very much from our lives. The years go by since we lost him from our lives but I can tell you, he is never far from our minds.
I had the privilege – and it was a true privilege – to speak at the funeral on behalf of my mum. I wanted to share with you today a little of what I said
“…As he did fall asleep there were fireworks to be heard and seen outside …read more

I remember so clearly losing Dad and promising him that I would look after the lady he had loved so much – my mum. Well today she is celebrating her 79th birthday. I still live too far away to nip in for a cup of coffee and some of her gorgeous home baking but I did go and see her this weekend and we went out for tea.
I love my mum so much, I am lucky that we have always had a special connection. I used to spend hours sat on her knee as a child and we share a …read more

I don’t know why but today I had this ache just to see Dad. Dad was so central to the way that I think about life and the person that I am …… we weren’t totally close except in the heart and mind. But then I would argue they are the most important places.
Since Dad died I have meandered, looking for meaning and I think lost as though my compass bearing has gone. I look back and think about what I have achieved but in some way it was for Dad. Dad didn’t expect anything from me, he just loved …read more

It is 5 years today that Dad took his final bow from this world. A world that he graced so well. There is not a day goes by without me thinking of him, wishing that I had spent more time with him, asking myself how could I have been a better daughter….all the kind of thoughts, grief riddles your brain with, during the bereavement process.Many of you know that I run a podcast and blog in Dad’s honor called The Engaging Brand. He would have been so proud as this year it was nominated for the Best Business Podcast award. Though it …read more

Dad was a huge influence on my life, and someone I miss every day since he died in 2003. Dad was the original shy, retiring person until….he was with people. He loved people – his whole aim in life was to firstly help friends and family as much as humanly possible and secondly to find the good in each person that he met. It would have been his 84th birthday today – the glorious 12th.
Like many people, I don’t think I truly understood the strength of my love until it was too late. Somehow, you believe that parents will be …read more

In my youth I was the original workaholic who struggled to find time for my family. The death of Dad changed that…I had so many regrets….we knew we loved each other, however I just had not spent the time that I should have done with him. I missed the chance of putting that right
Last week I booked a holiday with Mum (She is the one on the left in the picture with my 98 year old nana!). Through our combined grief we have become closer. I speak to her every day now which feels so wonderful. Now it is a …read more

This weekend we are going to the seaside where we have placed a memorial chair looking out to sea. Dad used to spend hours with his binoculars looking at the ships going by and there was no more fitting tribute that we could think of…
It will be a sad time in one way, but Dad was always someone who loved a good story, loved a good laugh…so we try and keep that tradition alive. When I am with my mum, it seems OK but I know when I drive home I will be remembered about all the pain of …read more

Fathers day is over for another year and yet Dad has been at the forefront of my thoughts this week. It reminded me of the poem Tomorrow by Stephanie Ineson…I have posted about it before but it seems so relevant.
Tomorrow – I’ll tell him just what he means, …read more

Dad was such a huge influence in my life – although I am not sure he knew. I lost him on 5 November 2003 and I will remember for as long as I live, being with him when he took his final breath. I loved him so much and watching him die was just awful. Today I wanted to pay tribute to a man who I miss very much, so here is a snippet of the speech I made at his funeral.
“Dad would certainly not want us to mourn his passing but instead celebrate knowing him and indeed his life. …read more

I spent the day with my mum yesterday. Since dad died, mum has struggled emotionally and physically. The garden which had always been dad’s domain, so working with mum (Well, mum managing and me doing the work of 30 people!) brings back wonderful memories.
It is also great to be in the company of someone who understands the pain of grief and who you can talk openly with about your feelings. I think the physical work also helps as it gets the blood flowing and you feel brighter.  
The interesting point is that when I left her she looked 10 years …read more