Our ‘E, I wrote this ditty one day in the shower with water running, but after an hour I had the words that seemed to convey my love for the chap who has now gone away. I have memories by the bucket load and I know that you do too Some of them are funny, some are sad, but all of them make me so very glad That I have known you for a while I remember around the campfire, you keeping us all entertained. You had a never ending list of jokes! You never ran dry and they were always so funny! My favourite will always remain that of the lady who dearly wanted to sniff!! The first time I heard it I cried tears – my sides were splitting and over the years I’ve been ready with tissue in hand as the tears have flown – it’s always so grand! ..and so to your girls – Jackie, Nikki, Maxine and Leanne You are their world, their night, their day and in their hearts is where you’ll stay. Fond memories of all that you’ve done will bring comfort to them – each one They’ll laugh and they’ll cry and they’ll wonder why This terrible cancer made you fly beyond this world to God’s fair place. We’d like to turn back the hands of time to the point when you were last well To spot that tumour lurking deep within and order it to go to hell! At times when Jackie and Chris went out, Ian would tell me how his life had worked out When, back in the day, before you were older – he’d seen a young girl with platts on her shoulder And in that girl on that day had there stood, the woman who would share with him his adulthood. For 50 years his life has served to give you all that you have deserved! Through highs and lows your life has seen that Ian’s love for you has been “evergreen” And so through testing times we have seen that Ian’s will was stronger than it’s ever been His sheer determination to carry on, when he knew that the biggest part of his life was gone Gave us all the strength to say “Bugger off cancer – go away!” But here we are, together this day, because the cancer didn’t go away. So sleep Dearest Ian – you deserve the rest. The cancer won – the Bloody pest Dearest Ian, Jackie has supported you all of your life, absorbed in her role as your loving wife But she needs help now to ease her pain, so watch over her whilst she’s at home – in Spain And we’ll do our best to guide her each day, as her life moves on and she finds her own way. You’ve enriched our lives and made your mark, so look out from your terrace – The villa encapsulates your lifetime of love. Let your spirit reach out from your seat up above Hug her and hold her from morn until night, she’s missing you Ian, so make sure she’s “alright”. And there I must stop – my hearts breaking in two at the memories of a man that everyone knew. We’ll raise our glasses sky high to wish you good cheer and end with the words of a song you hold dear – “Always look on the bright side of life” Love you loads E’ – always , God Bless Sue xxxxxx