There are many that believe a person never really dies as long as they are remembered.
That they live on in the memories of friends; in the formative school years, in the childhood laughter, in the moments of teenage independence, and the trials and adventures of adulthood.
That they live on in the experiences of work. Of shared jokes and understanding, of dedication and frustration.
That they are in the heart of family member. In the growth of a child, in the challenges they face, in the knowing smiles, in their fears, their hopes and dreams. In finding their soul mate, in starting a family, in making that family unit the centre of their universe.
These things will be true for so many people. Each person will have memories that live on.
I will remember many special moments too. Too many to count.
Joyous memories of watching Eurovision, athletics, football – of winding up a poor Spur fan.
Of long days and evenings chatting about life, about sport, about the mundane and the life-changing.
Of numerous magical memories and your precious visits to Norfolk.
A million memories, sights, sounds, tastes, feelings that are left with me and hundreds of people.
And so this note, just like the last one, is incredibly hard to write.
Tears and keyboards do not make good friends.
Jane:
I will miss your incredible openness and honesty. I can’t think of anyone I have ever known that had these qualities as much as you.
I will miss your unwavering dedication to friends and family. Guy and Lauren the epicentre of your universe – the core of your being, everything you held precious and dear.
I will miss your friendship and love for the four of us, which I knew, and could feel.
I will miss your ‘serious eyes’ (seldom has anyone been able to stop someone in their tracks as you could with a masterful no-nonsense single glance. You could have fixed Brexit in five minutes flat).
I will miss your smile (so bright unique). It became even more special knowing you smiled through pain and discomfort and never stopped, always trying to reassure others regardless of how hard this must have been for you.
I will miss your strength and determination (the medical staff must have been equally inspired and confused).
I will miss the dignified grace with which you dealt with illness and grief. You wouldn’t let it beat you, it simply made you stronger.
I hope you are at peace. I will miss you.
But as I said with Guy previously and how I started this message, these things, although gone from the physical, they remain and might even grow over time.
You will stay with me, in my memories, in my spirit and in my heart. How can someone be gone with all that? And I am just one person, with just one story to tell.
And… if I ever want to see your spirit in action, or that of Guy, I will not have far to look – I only have to look as far as Lauren.
I give thanks for your life and everything you did with it x
Mark
5th December 2019