We are remembering my Grandad. An amazing trombone player in his day as well as a terrifically talented joiner. My Grandad was like a built in best friend. So funny, his smile and laugh just lit up the entire room. And I would always feel safe and secure whenever he was near, he just had a calming presence. He always reassured you that you would be fine and give you a big squeeze and you would instantly feel better. My grandad was so determined, this showed when he had a stroke when I was younger and he had to learn how to read, write and speak again and he did. He passed away two years ago now from falling on a rainy day and after all he had achieved recovering from those traumas, it left such a hole in our lives for him to be suddenly taken when he was so healthy. Our lives are definitely different without him as he was such a light and a joy. Everyone who met him says the same, he was just a force of nature. The best husband, father and grandad in the world.
We are also remembering my Granny (Grandad’s wife) unfortunately she passed when I was a baby so I didn’t get much time with her, which really upsets me but when I hear all the wonderful and also funny stories about her I truly feel like I know her so well. She was so kind, so creative, also a force of nature. She was very determined, she ran a restaurant whilst taking care of her family and just had so many feathers to her cap! She had an eye for detail. I wish I could have spent years on end with her, going around antique shops which she so dearly loved. She was a treasured wife, mother and Granny.
We are also remembering my Auntie Bridget. When my granny passed away Auntie Bridget sort of took on the role of Granny duties. And to this day , I can say she truly shaped who I am. She was so kind, so delicate, always fair. Auntie Bridget loved church and keeping her rosary beads close to her (which is something I like to do now because of her), everything in her home was perfect and beautiful. Some of the best memories of my childhood are school holidays at my Auntie Bridget’s. And walking through her front door and getting a whiff of her homemade chicken soup that she was cooking. Everyone who knew her, held a special place in their hearts for Auntie Bridget and that’s a fact. We miss her everyday.

And finally we are remembering my Granny Flynn (Auntie Bridget’s sister and my Mums Granny) she too passed when I was baby so I don’t have any memories with her and I so wish I did because of the stories I hear she was such a kind and wonderful person to know. I have one picture of her holding me when I was just born, I’m asleep in her lap and she is looking down at me just like an angel and she is so very gently holding my tiny hand with the tips of her fingers, the picture is so beautiful and special because although I never knew her that picture shows how much she loved me and how many memories we would have made together , the memories would have been wonderful. My mum describes her as so elegant and very much “a lady” and she was a huge part of my mum’s growing up, almost everyday they would see her, she was like a “second mum”. It just shows how treasured she was.

There is 2 big holes in my heart every day but even more so when I start the preparations and traditions from my childhood for Christmas although there are always a few tears there is always great smiles and memories that no one can ever take away xxx

Christmas isn't the same without you Nan. Luckily we have some amazing memories from our Christmases together over the years which I will treasure forever. Will raise a snowball to you. Miss you as always. Love from All of Us xx

Remembering you at Christmas

Loved Always, Never Forgotten.
Jean, Sue, Ian and families.
xxx

Remembered dearly all year round but more so around Christmas and your Birthday time x Merry Christmas “Calan”! Xx

Thinking off you , at Christmas we all miss you , not being with us to celebrate Christmas with us .

To my dearly missed mum & dad, you are always in our thoughts. We wish you had more time with us, to watch our boys grow. But I know you are watching from up above. All our love Emma, Andrew, James & Luke
Craig, Janien & Oscar xxx

Miss you more at this time of the year
Always in my heart
Xxxxx

There will always be an empty chair for you to join us at our table on Christmas Day and everyday. I miss and love you with all my heart. Xxxx

Hi dad, we are all missing you so very much. We talk about you often and remember all the memories you gave us. We look to the night sky and find your star. It twinkles down on us all and says, " Don't worry, I'm always by your side, be strong, and remember yo live life, until we can be together again.
Love you.

In loving memory of Peter Kinnear. We will miss you so much. No matter where you are you will always be our Gaga.
Love you always.
Your family
Xx

Merry Christmas to my dad my hero, it’s just not the same without you, we miss you checking ‘he has been’
Love you always
Rach xXx

Merry Christmas Nan. This was your favourite time of year. I hope you are celebrating up there with Grandad Reg. We will never forget you. We miss you and love you lots and lots. Love Natalie, Rob, Jade, Kie and Kain xxxxx

Your love of Christmas always shone so brightly. You spent many, many hours volunteering as Father Christmas for various local charities. Such care and attention for every single child you saw. Making sure that you kept the magic alive for them ❤️ we miss you dad, always, every day, but particularly at Christmas

Your all thought about every day &
Missed by all xxx

My beautiful Mum. Always with me.
Shine Bright Always…..love you xxx

I miss your laughter, wisdom, advice and most of all your presence – all in all I miss you dad!! Hope you are having fun up there and keep visiting me in the garden ???? xx

Dad, always in our hearts and still so missed. Thank you for all the comfort that you give us by knowing you are still watching over us all.
Love Kara, Lisa, India and Taylor. XXXXXX

Dad, our first Christmas without you, he was never one for Christmas but always enjoyed life to the full and was a true light in all our lives and all those who met him. We miss him and love him so much.

Always loved Christmas, especially will the grandchildren. Made every year special. Missed greatly loved always xx