I thought my Mum was an amazing lady, she was funny, kind and was not only my mum but a great friend to me. She showed such strength of character and dignity throughout her life and she is a complete inspiration. If I can be half of what my Mum was, I think I would have done alright. I have written a poem that I would like to read to you today: MUM Your hand was always ready to hold; If I fell; If I was scared; If I was sad. Your arms would wrap around me I knew everything would be ok. Your smile lit the room like a sunbeam Making me feel warm inside Making me feel safe I knew everything would be ok. You guided me through good and bad You made me feel special You taught me right from wrong I knew everything would be ok. The darkness came The sadness came I tried to help you, care for you, love you. The end came The depths of despair – overwhelm me. I love you Mum I miss you Mum You will always be with me – forever. x

AFTERGLOW I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave, when my life is done.

HER JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN Don’t think of her as gone away Her journey’s just begun, Life holds so many facets, This earth is only one, Just think of her as resting, From the sorrows and the tears, In a place of warmth and comfort, Where there are no days or years, Think how she must be wishing, That we could know today, How nothing but our sadness, Can really pass away, And think of her as living, In the hearts of those she touched, For nothing loved is ever lost, And she was loved so much.