Thank you Nan for welcoming me into your family with open arms and treating me like one of your own. I will miss you everyday.

Hello, Mom. I was thinking today about the longest holiday I've ever been on. It was two weeks in Spain. In the 57 years I've been alive that would have been the longest I didn't see you. And now you've been gone for nearly three weeks. Three weeks will soon turn into three months, and then three years and so on. I hate you not being here. The longest I've been without you will always be now. I miss everything about you; your humour, your preoccupation with food, your happiness around my children, and all your grandchildren, your funny faces, even your tales of waiting for numbers at bingo. Mostly I will miss how every room you were in was a place of unconditional love and kindness for all of us. For the rest of my life, I know there will be at least one moment in every single day where I will think of you. Goodbye, Mom. I love you and will always miss you.

Goodbye Mam. You have always given me unconditional love, stability and the knowledge that you were always there. No matter what was going on in my life you were a constant calming influence. You said scream if you need to - let it all out - don't ever think you are alone - and I didn't because I was in your heart. You will be missed for your wicked sense of humour and your pithy comments - but mostly for the love you gave. Rest in peace Mom. Love you forever