My David

It seemed time to write this post to thank everyone for the kind comments, thoughtful emails and beautiful cards that David and I received and I know that he would have been very touched by all the moving things that have been said about him since his death.

Many of you knew David from when he was my "glamourous assistant" at workshops and have commented on his cheeky sense of humour as well as his encouraging words. He really did like joining in with everything and would sometimes sit in and make a card or two if he wasn't too busy getting the teas and coffees for everyone.

David was a caring, wise and good man who always thought about other people before himself. He'd go out of his way to help anyone, friend or stranger alike and nothing was ever too much trouble if he thought it was the right thing to do. I was, and am, so proud of him, especially in the last few weeks when he endured his illness without complaint, more worried about how I would cope than how he was feeling.

One piece of music has always summed up to me how David lived his life and we played our favourite version by Colm Wilkinson at his funeral. It's "The Impossible Dream" .....

"To dream the impossible dream
to fight the unbeatable foe
to bear, with unbearable sorrow
to run, where the brave dare not go.
To right the unrightable wrong,
to love, pure and chaste from afar.
To try, when your arms are too weary,
to reach the unreachable star.
This is my quest, to follow that star,
no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.
To fight for the right, without question or pause,
to be willing to march into Hell
for a Heavenly cause.
And I know if I'll only be true
to this glorious quest
that my heart will lie peaceful and calm
when I'm laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this
that one man, scorned and covered with scars,
still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
to reach the unreachable star."

Although I'm devastated by his death, I know that I've been so lucky to have had thirty six years with the love of my life.

David didn't like having his photo taken, but I think he'd be alright with me sharing this one that Heather took when we went out to the local estuary to watch the birds a few weeks ago. Once again, thank you for all your kind messages, and apologies that I haven't got round to thanking everyone in person yet - please know that each and every message, card, email and letter has been much appreciated.