Thank you

I’ll be the first to testify that the more we are grateful for the things we have in life; the more life provides us with things to be grateful for.

So why is gratitude the first thing we let slide the moment the shit hits the fan?

A good friend of mine recently said; “It’s easy to be grateful when all of your ducks are lined up… But if you can look for the good and stay grateful when life is a struggle, THAT’s when the real magic happens.” Wise words 🙏🏻

Today, see the beauty in all situations. Even the ones that are there to test you. Because ultimately, those are the experiences that urge you to grow, to evolve and to expand your horizons.

And that is why I’m choosing to see the beauty in my sadness today…

On this day 13 years ago heaven needed another angel, and decided you were the one Dad..

In your memory, I’d like to reflect on the gifts you blessed me with in hope that I can offer my baby the same unconditional love you bestowed upon me as a little girl.

💫 Bear hugs. I was never too old or too grumpy to receive one of your warm bear hugs. And even if I was, and tried to side step your cuddles – you’d stretch out your arm and reel me in with an anaconda type grip that said: “You’re receiving my love, grumpy or not, now take it!” …I will never deny my son a hug… (Even if he’s being a little sh*t 😝)

💫 Your weirdness. Your humour was unique, unapologetic and had us all in fits of belly laughter! I will teach my son to embrace his weirdness and to never apologise for who he is!

💫 Protection. Your nature was gentle and loving, but MY GOD if anyone ever interfered with our happiness you were FIERCELY protective and would shield us with your strength. I will teach my son to be his own pillar of strength should anyone ever threaten his sense of self.

💫 Humbleness. You faced many adversities during your brief time here, yet you remained humble throughout. Rarely did I hear you complaining or wishing for things to be different… I will teach my son that he is always enough and to count his blessings, even in times of adversity.

Thank you for everything that you taught me Dad 🙏🏻

Loving you always, forgetting you never 🙏🏻💙 xx

All Woman

Today, on International Women’s Day let us celebrate all that is woman.

You’re Mother, your daughter, your sister, your significant other, your Grandmother, your teacher, YOU!!! Whoever this woman may be, take a moment to acknowledge the woman before you and give thanks for her innate beauty and wisdom.

Give thanks for her ability to smile when inside she cries; for the way she holds herself together when her world is falling apart; for the miracle of life she nourishes, nurtures and births forth for this earth.

Give thanks for her wisdom, her courage and unconditional love. For her ability to exude silent strength. For the way she is soft yet fierce in her beliefs and remains grounded in the face of adversity.

Whoever this woman may be – today, acknowledge all that she is. For she is she. A woman. And this woman is enough.

Love always,

Hayley xx

Eternal Bond

Forever Young you shall be. Forever in our hearts you shall remain. I wrote this song for you a few years ago and my good friends Samuel Jones, Ben Jones, and Christopher Roach breathed eternal life into it… And for that I am forever grateful.

Happy 60th birthday Dad xx

 

So short lived were my chocolate raisin days

The only thing I have now are the memories of your ways

No more bear hugs, no more Match Box cars today

I’m holding on tight cause this doesn’t feel right

Don’t let this slip away

 

Cause I will never forget you

Your with me in everything I do

My smiles a reflection of you

I live my life through you because it’s all I can do

Your my parachute

 

Your brief time here, it was rocky it was rough

Never said you were giving up, my gentle giant was too tough

No need for fast cars, brief cases or expensive suits

Your love was just enough and your love was all for us

Don’t let this slip away

 

Your descent upon this material world

It was oh so brief, I was left in disbelief

I had to stop being Daddy’s girl

Your courage was reborn deep in my heart

The realisation that from you I shall never part

I’m letting go because I know I must grow

But you’ll always remain forever young

 

Cause I will never forget you

Your with me in everything I do

My smiles a reflection of you

I live my life through you because it’s all I can do

Your my parachute

 

My king of hearts has flown

But I’m willing to take the thrown

To your legacy I live

And I’ll give as you’d give

 

My parachute. My strength. My breath, my parachute. The reason I’m living so free…

 

I Love You Because…

It’s been 12 years today since my bear hugs were taken away… There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to capture how greatly you are missed. But on this day I’d like to remind you of how much you are loved…

Dad, I love you because…

…you would walk us around on your feet as little girls.

…you would shine a spotlight on us as we danced around the living room.

…you never complained about your stroke or your epilepsy, even though the seizures frightened you.

…you made us smile and laugh daily with your unpredictable humour.

…you were the most selfless human being I’ve ever met and would spend your last £5 on chocolate raisins, Beano magazines and Matchbox cars for us.

…you lived with 3 feisty females and never lashed out physically or verbally once – you’d always walk away when angry.

…you gave the best bear hugs ever.

…you cared and worried about our safety.

…you surprised us with cups of teas and Garfield The Cat inspired butties in the mornings and always made them with a smile.

…you weren’t afraid to show your emotions.

Because of a million other reasons I never had the chance to say to you – but mostly, because you’re my Dad…

My love for you is infinitely endless. I love and miss you so so much. Thank you for being my guide.

Loving you always – forgetting you never 💙 xx