Category Archives: Memories

Jan22

Memory Lane

Posted on January 22, 2016 by MeRaw

Friday 22nd January

I walk down that memory lane
Because I love bumping into you.
Sitting, overlooking the harbour
Taking in the wonderful view.

Up and down the road in front
Watching all the passers-by,
You’d only speak when spoken to
Such a charming and polite guy.

Happy in your own little world
I imagine you walking along,
Hands in pockets, coat done up
Surely this is where you belong.

I close my eyes and think of you
Picturing us strolling together,
Talking about this and that
In the beautiful sunny weather.

So, here I am down memory lane
Bumping into you along the way.
I smile, thinking of the memories
But my heart breaks, day by day.

Love you sweetie.
Missing you.
Angel son.
xxxxx

The harbour this afternoon

A sunny corner of the harbour

Jan7

Aware of your absence

Posted on January 7, 2016 by MeRaw

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Thursday 7th January

    “I am
constantly
    aware
   of your
absence”

Yes, I can easily force a little smile
But inside my heart is surely broken.

Every single day I see the reminders
Of your life; the memories left behind.

I’m constantly aware of your absence
And I can sense you, but not see you.

Days turn into weeks and months
I miss you more than miss you less.

I am not the same person that I was
Hidden sorrow is now my companion.

Another Thursday comes round again
The day you left this earth for heaven.

And there is nothing I can do about it
Except remember all those good times.

And we did have such fun together
Laughs and merriment and adventures.

We love you so very much sweetheart
And we’ll miss you forever and ever.

xxxxx

Jan5

The heart never forgets

Posted on January 5, 2016 by MeRaw

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Tuesday 5th January

   “Each time we
embrace a memory,
   we meet again
   with those we
      love ….. for
        the heart
           never
         forgets.”

Well, that must mean
I’m always meeting you.
For I embrace a memory
Every waking moment.
You are there in my heart
In my sleepy dreams too.
You are there in my heart.
And my heart will never forget.

I love you baby.
I always will.
But I miss you.
Miss you so much.
So very much.

Beloved Angel son
xxx xxx

Jan2

Swimming with dolphins

Posted on January 2, 2016 by MeRaw

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Saturday 2nd January

On this very day, nine years ago,
You fulfilled a wish
That meant so much.
We booked a time for you to go solo.

Swimming with dolphins was such a dream,
An amazing experience
Just for you.
Sleek grey mammals, whose skin did gleam.

A caring instructor looking after you,
Making sure you had
The best of the session,
Listening to directions to see you through.

Taking a while to dispel your fears,
Soon it’ll be your turn
For the swim.
Shall I, shan’t I? As the moment nears.

Reaching out to touch the flipper gently,
A kiss on the nose,
A swim on your own,
You were concentrating so very intently.

Holding carefully onto the dorsal fin,
Kibby the dolphin
Became your friend,
And across your face, a great big grin.

So, swim free and far my darling angel,
With the dolphins
Of the azure, blue sea,
Bobbing and diving, incredibly graceful.

Love you forever
Miss you always.
xxxxxxxx

Dolphin Research Centre. Grassy Key. 2nd January 2007

Dec29

The key that unlocks memory

Posted on December 29, 2015 by MeRaw

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Tuesday 29th December

“To us his name will ever be
The key that unlocks memory
Of a dear Son gone, but cherished yet
A beloved face, we’ll never forget.”

In December 2006 we joined my father on his yacht in Boot Key, Marathon. It was our first ever visit to the Florida Keys, and we fell in love with the place.

We flew into Miami, collected a hire car, and then began the short trip south to the start of the keys archipelago. The magic carpet ride of the Overseas Highway is splendid as the road through small islands suddenly turns into a bridge over channels separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.

A stunningly beautiful fifty mile drive, drinking in the amazing views sees us stop just before our destination for a bite to eat at the Islamorada Fish Company: a superb outdoor restaurant with excellent food.

The sun is setting as we arrive at the marina, unload the car onto the tender, and motor out to the yacht. It is quiet and peaceful onboard, with only the sounds of the gentle waves lapping against the hull. Such a relaxing way to spend the holidays.

You enjoyed quiet beach walks, eating out at bars and restaurants overlooking the water, finding a friendly coffee shop that served terrific ice cream, trips to Key West, Bahia Honda State Park and the Dolphin Rescue Centre. Your favourite though, after swimming with the dolphins, was probably a day trip to Miami, to the Dolphin Mall. You loved walking around looking at all the stores, spending your Christmas money, and then meeting up in the food court for lunch.

After spending the afternoon at Sombrero Beach, we found a great place to eat called The Dockside Tropical Café. Burgers, fries, onion rings and salad went down well with ice cold beer for us, and sparkling lemonade for you. Then you went walkabout, and came back excitedly telling us you had found your dream car ~ a stretch limo had parked up outside……….

29th December 2006. Look at what I've found.....

My new ride ..........

You had such a big grin on your face.
Little things that made you happy, made me smile so much.

And hearing your name
Will always be
The key to unlock
More memories.

A key.
The Keys.
The beginning of many more trips to this special place.
For you.
For me.
For us.

I miss you so very much.
Love you to the moon and back.
Dearest Angel son.
xxx xxx

Dec17

Someone Special

Posted on December 17, 2015 by MeRaw

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Thursday 17th December

“You are missed each
and every day,
for you were
Someone Special
who meant more than
words can say.”

To us you were
Someone special.
Yes, you were
Truly exceptional.

Different from some,
A real character.
You meant everything,
Our family together.

Fun and games,
Pulling funny faces,
Lots of adventures,
Visiting new places.

But sadly no more .
Forty weeks tonight,
On Angel wings
You took flight.

Love you so much.
Will miss you forever.
Dearest Angel,
Forget you, never.

xxxxx

On the ferry, from Fort Fisher, NC to Southport, SC……
Friday 11th August, 2006…….

Funny face with Dad

Funny face with Mum

My very own Harley. Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC

Where's the chauffeur for my Hummer?

A new tree for you today

Love you xxxxx

Dec11

Smiling down

Posted on December 11, 2015 by MeRaw

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Friday 11th December

“I know you’re in
Heaven smiling down”

I think that’s what is keeping me together at the moment.
Knowing you’re in heaven.
You always said you wanted to go to heaven, and not the other place.
You made it, I’m sure.
And you’re smiling.

Aboard Rum Raisin, Bermuda, 1994

And here you are smiling down on me, on the prow of my father’s yacht: a cheeky grin, and a big wave for the camera. (I’m not sure your brother was as enthusiastic though, looking slightly uncertain there). I was cast adrift in the tender to take some photographs as you all sailed majestically past.

It was the first ever time we, as a family, had gone to stay with him, on board. Our first yachting holiday to Bermuda, the start of so many fun adventures.

We didn’t really know what to expect, we took far too much luggage, including snorkels, flippers, lilos, beach umbrella, sun tent, ice box……. It’s a miracle the boat stayed afloat with all the extra weight of us four and our belongings.

Rum Raisin cutting through the waves

Rum Raisin truly was a great yacht, with its black hull and red sails; a veritable pirate ship.

You did have a lot of fun on that holiday, even though you left the drinking water tap running all day on our first sail out of The Cut. Never mind, we found a marina later that afternoon, and filled up with fresh water. I thought my father would be very cross, but he accepted it as one of those things. Children, eh?

Rum Raisin from the clifftop

When not sailing, we visited the beautiful Crystal Caves, the busy Swizzle Inn, Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach, as well as the capital, Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard.

We spent an amazing three weeks cruising on the azure blue sea, dodging a passing hurricane, sailing past the spectacular QE2, watching a round-the-island speedboat race, and you boys behaving yourselves with your grandfather.

Such superb, seafaring memories.

Fly free, My Angel.
My Love, fly high.
It’s ‘see you later’,
It’s not, ‘goodbye’.

Love you forever.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxxxx

Dec9

The memory of a life well spent

Posted on December 9, 2015 by MeRaw

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Wednesday 9th December

“The life given us by nature is short,
but the memory of a life well spent
is eternal.” Cicero

A life well spent?
Of that I’m sure.
Around the world
On one big tour.

Fun and laughter,
A terrific education.
New experiences
Whilst on vacation.

Happy families
Traveling together.
Making memories
In sunny weather.

Here you are with Kenneth the Pan Man, at Cascreole Restaurant in Castara, Tobago in 2002. We had anchored my dad’s yacht out in the bay, and come ashore in the dingy to find somewhere for lunch.

As we were sitting on the rooftop of this restaurant a man sets up his steel drums and plays for us, then offers to teach you how to play ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’. How honoured did you feel? You felt so good at being able to have a go on the steel drums, and as I remember, you were pretty good at it too.

Having finished our lunch, we spent time on the beach, snorkelling, swimming and making sandcastles. Such lush, tropical surroundings, crystal clear seas, with the coconut palms growing on the beach, leaning over the waves. Paradise.

Dreams and memories of happy times.

Blowing kisses to heaven.
Love you forever.
Sweet Angel son.
xxxxxx

Jingle bells for you xxx

Love you xxx

Dec3

All the days

Posted on December 3, 2015 by MeRaw

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Thursday 3rd December

“Honestly, I spent today missing you,
And that is how I will probably spend tomorrow
And the day after that
And probably all the days after that too.”

It was on this date last year, the third of December, that you began your chemotherapy treatment; a most aggressive regime.
And I’ve been thinking about that a lot today.

Being away for the last week, sharing time with your brother in Spain and Portugal, I haven’t paid much attention to the radio, shops or news. Driving home from the airport today, and listening to the car radio, there is much talk of Christmas, and the playing of festive music; the stores are decorated with lights and trees; the countdown has begun.

But I’m just not looking forward to this time of year at all.
I don’t want to seem miserable and spoil it for others, but I would much rather disappear and come back in January.

I’m just missing you so much at the moment, with the festive season approaching. And coming back to the house, all quiet and empty, it’s such a change from when we all used to return after a holiday.

Thinking of you tonight.
Blowing kisses to heaven.
Love you forever.
Angel son.
xxxx

I just miss you so much

Nov23

Never want to lose

Posted on November 23, 2015 by MeRaw

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Monday 23rd November

“Memories
A way of holding onto
the things you Love
the things you Are
the things you never want to
Lose”

And we have so, so many memories of you.
We will remember everything you love,
We will hold onto all the things that you are,
And we’ll keep on remembering,
Because we don’t want to lose those precious memories.

So, we’ll take you everywhere we go,
Safely wrapped within our hearts.
No matter what, you walk beside us.
And you’ll be there at night, in our dreams.

We miss you my darling.
Love you more than words can say.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxx