1201.13 UNCLE ADRIAN

Today we said goodbye to Uncle Adrian, he passed away between Christmas and New Year. I haven't seen him for a number of years but we had reconnected on Facebook in recent times. I have many memories and he was an integral part of my childhood, the summers at my Nan and Grandad's house.

He's passed at 47, all I feel is that he was taken too soon. No parent should outlive their child, I can't imagine what my Nan must be going through. At the funeral today I looked on at his wife and daughters and tried to imagine what impact it would have on my girls if it were me after all I am 40, not much younger.

Funerals are a chance to say goodbye but they are also a very selfish time, you think of how you will miss the person and how your life will be affected. As it should be.

If there is one good thing to come from his passing it is that I spoke to my father for the first time in many years, we've been estranged for such a long time. Maybe we have a chance to put the past behind us?

After all life is too short...

1201.01 HAPPY NEW YEAR

I'd be lying if I said 2011 had been good to us. Yes there has been some good times but we've had some hard times too. Now is the time to look forward, not back. We begin this new journey as usual at Morticia's mother's in St Neots over a few beers.

Our eldest continues to be our greatest challenge at this moment, the mission to keep her on the right path. I start the year with a wish to rebuild the lost relationship with my parents and to strengthen my family.

As I tap this entry I finish off my last beer of the evening/morning and my thoughts turn to my Uncle Adrian who passed away yesterday (1112.30) suddenly aged just 47. I'm still in shock about his passing.