It’s been a year already? It’s usually ‘time flies when you’re having fun’, what does one say when you’re suffering a loss and it still flies by? One whole year since I spoke to my dad, 14 months since I felt his strong arms hug me, heard him call my name…

I’m doing better than I thought, stiff upper lip and all that. I really dreaded the coming of November, was convinced I’d go to pieces and managed to get myself all worked up in October. What is one to do? Now that it’s here it’s just another month, how can I miss him more than I already have throughout the year? News from home yesterday letting me know my uncle’s death is imminent has me thinking of those going through the same hell I did when my mom passed away – knowing it’s coming, trying to cope, doing the best you can and hoping you can hold it together. Life can’t go on forever I suppose, and my dad had his wish – “Lynne” he used to say”I don’t want to know anything about it, I want to go peacefully in my sleep”. Me, I’m going out with a fight.

You may have thought I didn’t see,
Or that I hadn’t heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we’d grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It’s written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn’t
be The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I’ve grown up with your values,
And I’m very glad I did;
So here’s to you dad
from one grateful kid!