Monthly Archives: August 2016

Aug11

11.8.11

Posted on August 11, 2016 by MeRaw

Thursday 11th August

My phone again, had a little reminder for me this morning: five years ago, on this day, we went to Busch Gardens in Tampa.

You always made for SheiKra first, a floorless, diving rollercoaster. I remember Dad saying that the first time you went on it, you had your eyes closed as it hovered on the precipice, before hurtling earthwards at amazing speed. After that you said your eyes were always open, and that this was your most favourite ride ever.

SheiKra, Busch Gardens, 11.8.11

Another ride you enjoyed was the fast-moving Cheetah Hunt, the longest rollercoaster in the park.

The Cheetah Hunt, 11.8.11

We miss sharing the fun with you.

We miss watching your ‘adrenaline rush’ as you sought out new white-knuckle experiences.

We miss your laughter and smiles.

We miss holidays with you.

We miss the theme parks.

We miss you.

And……….

It’s Thursday.

74 weeks.

518 days.

Without you.

Thinking of you every day.

Love you so very much.

Sweetheart Angel son.

xxxxxx

Aug10

The Hulk

Posted on August 10, 2016 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 10th August

Two years ago we were enjoying what was to be our last American summer holiday with you.

For almost twenty years we spent our summertime away from home: more often than not, spending a few weeks in Orlando, in between driving further south to the Keys, and to the north, enjoying stops in South Carolina.

You had such fun in the theme parks. We’d arrive early, use Preferred Parking, (to be near the entrance), present our pre-booked tickets, then off you’d go. Fiercely independent, you liked to do a complete loop of the park on your own, queuing and going on the white knuckle rides by yourself. Somehow you would then manage to find us, tell us all your exploits, and suggest the best or most exciting ride to go on.

You always had a big grin on your face.

And we miss that, we miss that so very much. Your smile, your laughter, your enjoyment of life.

Facebook reminded me that it was on this day, two years ago, that we went to Islands of Adventure, and you made straight for the Hulk, located just inside the entrance. Fast, noisy, scary, and your favourite.

Love you so much my darling.

Missing you every moment.

Now in the theme park of heaven.

Dearest Angel son.

xxxxxx

Exiting the Hulk ride (August 10th 2014)

Sunset over the rooftops tonight

Aug9

Sunshine sweetheart

Posted on August 9, 2016 by MeRaw

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Tuesday 9th August

My dearest, my lovely

My one, my only

My sunshine sweetheart

Although we’re apart

The warmth of the rays

Brightens my days

Thinking of you

As the sun shines through

Picturing you walking

Reading and talking

Enjoying the fresh air

With not but a care

Love you forever

Forget you never.

xxxxxx

My sunshine sweetheart (August 2014, Hilton Head)

Picturing you, while the sun shines through (Kissimmee, August 2014)

Delicate new roses for you

Aug8

Back home

Posted on August 8, 2016 by MeRaw

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Monday 8th August

We arrived safely back home, late this afternoon, again battling with summer holiday traffic whose destination is the seaside. Cars, caravans, lorries, motorbikes, tractors, motorhomes all conspired to want to share the road with us, almost at a snail’s pace at some points.

Before we arrived home, we stopped in at your resting place to talk with you. To tell you all about our exploits over the weekend.

It was on this date last year that we walked up and down Mount Snowdon, in beautiful sunshine, for the first time. Unfit, but determined to keep going, we completed the trek in eight hours, with numerous stops.

This year we let the train take most of the strain, enjoying the scenery, until we reached the summit, where everything was shrouded in mist and low cloud, but we still managed to climb the final few, rocky steps to counquer the peak.

We thought of you every moment.

Never will a day go by when we don’t.

We miss you with every beat of our hearts.

We love you with every breath we take.

Dearest darling Angel son.

xxxxxx

Aug7

Raising awareness

Posted on August 7, 2016 by MeRaw

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Sunday 7th August

This weekend has been all about meeting up with survivors and raising awareness of Testicular Cancer, and taking part in the annual memorial trek up Mount Snowdon.

Last year I made a video to coincide with the weekend

This year I have decided to write a petition for Testicular Cancer screening to be made available to Special Needs young men.

Click on Frankie Angel bear to go to the petition

It would mean a great deal to me if you were to watch, read and sign.

Thank you.

Missing you every step of the way.

Precious Angel son.

xxxxxx

Aug6

Snowdon 2016

Posted on August 6, 2016 by MeRaw

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Saturday 6th August

We awoke to a beautiful sunny morning, had a wholesome breakfast, and left early to drive to Llanberis.

The annual memorial testicular cancer trek saw many survivors, family members and supporters gathered outside the mountain railway buildings. Following speeches and a minute’s silence to remember those no longer with us, the majority of the group set off.

Our plan had been to take the train up to the summit, and walk down.

Hmmmm.

At the top there was a howling gale, swirling mist, low level cloud cover, and the temperature was quite chilly.

So……..

There followed a quick scramble up to the actual summit, playing at being sure-footed mountain goats, taking a few photographs, saying a few quiet words to Frank, then back on the train, for an hour’s descent down the steep railway tracks.

I really think we’d still be walking now if we hadn’t let the train take the strain.

An emotional day, meeting some great people, raising awareness, and remembering you my darling. We miss you so much. There’s not a day that goes by when we don’t think of you.

Love you forever.

Treasured Angel son.

xxxxxx

Speeches and a minute’s silence

Requisite selfie at the start

At the start with Frank’s dolphin

View from the train

From the summit looking down in the mist

Dad and I with Frankie Angel bear at the summit

Frankie Angel bear on the actual summit

Me and Frankie Angel bear in front of the summit

The summit in the mist

Frank’s dolphin and Frankie Angel bear

A view from the train

Safely back at the start

All over for this year

Aug5

The road to Wales

Posted on August 5, 2016 by MeRaw

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Friday 5th August

We left home yesterday morning to drive to Bristol, battling with the summer holiday traffic. We arrived at our destination late this afternoon: a terrific pub within the walls of Caernarfon Castle, built in 1522. The rooms are quite individual, with creaky floors, beamed ceilings and thick walls. Our room is right over the entrance, and we look out upon the children’s playpark and the castle ruins.

We are here to join up with about two hundred other people for the annual Testicular Cancer Memorial Trek walking up Mount Snowdon.

Last year we took eight hours to complete the round trip, with many, many stops along the way, and at least a good hour at the summit. It really was a monumental effort for us not-very-fit people.

This year I have booked train tickets, and our aim is to catch the Snowdon Mountain Railway train to the summit, and walk down.

Hopefully this time we will have a lot more energy for the descent, and complete it in a quicker time, arriving back at the beginning before 6:00pm, when almost every one else had gone home.

But the day is not about a race; it’s about remembering those who have been taken by this cruel disease, and raising awareness.

We will be thinking of you, my darling, every step of the way. Your spirit will walk along with us.

Love you so very much.

Missing you every single day.

Precious Angel son.

xxxxxx