Mum, We (I) miss you so much...you were taken away so quickly , so abruptly and so unfairly, that we didn’t have the time, or opportunity, to tell you just how much you meant to all of us - just how deeply loved you were. You were always ‘there’ for each and every one of us when we needed advice, help, or just someone to listen to us (often it was hard to hear your views, but you were usually right!!). You lived for your family and dedicated your life to us, and when I divorced you dedicated your life, and your love to my family. We spent our all our holidays’, Christmas’ and New Years’ together, and we (I) loved and will remember each and every one of them forever (some ending in us falling out, but we always made up, we always forgave each other, and we were soon planning the next one!). My children are all the richer for having you in their lives, you moulded their characters, you helped me raise them the right way and they adored you. Recently you said you regretted not hugging us or being more demonstrative enough, (although you made up for that by hugging all your grandchildren), but mum, we knew we were loved and that was enough for us. Your love and dedication for Dad held no bounds and you looked after him stoically and selflessly, I only wish I could have cared and dedicated all of my time looking after you in your final days of what must have been extreme pain when you needed me. You cared, cherished, adored and fiercely protected all of us and I’m sure you are still doing so, up there in heaven. You were admired and respected by others, and I am very, very proud that you were my mum. Maria xxxx