I hope everyone is well.

Today would have been my Dad’s 69^th birthday. He died four and a half years ago. I always find his birthday difficult to process. It brings the loss and grief back above the surface and feels raw again.

Birthdays are often a time to celebrate, but when it comes to the birthday of someone who had passed away it can be very hard to celebrate anything.

Today, 18 June 2022, I am at Ulley Country Park near to where I live. My parents would walk here every day, it was part of their daily routine. I live close to my parents house and a part of our daily conversations would be about the country park and what had been going on that day.

We have a memorial bench for my Dad, and quite rightly it is at the country park. The bench bad a wonderful view of the lake. Anyone who sits here is invited by the view to just stop and take in their surroundings. I’d like to think people might go on to have their own conversations about what they had seen in the country park.

Right now, I am sat on my Dad’s bench. I feel sad today as I still miss him so much, bit I am also remembering better days too.

Life is short. Those people who matter the most to you can leave at any time.  Make sure to cherish your time with them. Make sure that person knows how you feel and what they mean to you.