A lot can happen in 10 years and certainly has in our household.  In the past 10 years we have moved house twice; had 2 amazing babies and seen them grow into beautiful children; finally got a series of diagnoses that have explained so much about M’s fragile health and will help him grow stronger in time; changed jobs more times than we care to consider and are finally in ones that we love; and travelled the world, though perhaps not as much as we’d have liked.  Sometimes, in the busy lives we now lead, it’s hard to stop and remember things and people from the past.

Today is a landmark day for me, one that I can hardly believe has arrived and one that has seen my emotions bubbling over beyond what I expected.

10 years ago today we said goodbye to my Dad.

One of the few photos we have of Grandad and G

I was the quintessential Daddy’s little girl growing up and constantly sought his approval and praise in the things that I did.  I know he was proud when I graduated university despite the complications of negligent eye surgery at the start of my final year and he helped me study to pass my accountancy exams just 3 years after I got my degree.  He walked me down the aisle nearly 15 years ago and marvelled at the arrival of his first grandchild a few years later.  I am so grateful for all the precious memories I have with him and yet find myself grieving for those that he never had the chance to become a part of, to share.

Today the children and I have been out in the unseasonably warm autumn air to visit Grandad’s plaque, placed on a neighbouring pier, and left some flowers and sprigs of rosemary – for remembrance – to mark that place.  We talked a little about him and I shared some memories of the grandfather they never got to know and love.  And tonight, Mike and I will be lifting a glass in his memory as yet another year without him slips past.

Courtesy of visitedscotland.com