Thursday, June 25, 2009

Wednesday 24th June 2009

The proudest night of my life, but I still wish you had been there! I know you were in sprit, but in truth it still does not make things any easier! My one saving grace, (or should that be my one of many?) is that so many friends were there. My first of many thank you’s must go to my parents and Phil, cannot begin to tell you how much it meant to me to have you all there.

My second thank you must go to Michael and Margret Hill; the Mayor and Mayoress of Northampton, thank you not just for being there but also spending all that time keeping me company. Although he seemingly only popped in, thank you to John Dickie for the hug. Sorry that you could not have stayed to see me receive my service medal, and that I didn’t get to say thank you for your column in Wednesday’s Chron… it made me smile on a day when I really needed it.

Thank you must also go to Merrick Baker-Bates for giving me the reason to stay and continue what has sometimes become a “love~hate” relationship! I am glad that I made the right choice, and I have you to thank for that. Thank you to my friends and colleagues also, those of you who have always stood by me and been there for me have no idea how much it meant (or means) to me.

Finally, I want to make a special mention to all those who thought I could not do it; all those who have belittled me and put me down/turned me down and generally not thought that much of me… my service medal is testament to the fact that I am better than you will EVER think I am or can be. THANK YOU, for making me stronger and for giving me the biggest reason to NOT give up!

On a final note, I dedicate the rest of my life with St. John to my dear friends who are no longer with us; in particular John Gardner. Thank you to all who made me who I am today, and thanks especially to Peter Tate; for making me look alright in the picture!

Monday, June 22, 2009

No More Santa?

Waking up this morning to that text message (thank you to whomever sent it...) was not exactly the best start to the morning.

There are a million and one things I would like to say, I'd tell everyone what a total gent you were. Or how you always could make me blush whenever you told anyone that would listen how nice I was!

I'd tell them how you could always be counted upon, and how you had so many stories to tell. I will never forget the one about the snake bite and the first aider... only glad that wasn't me!

What will the town do for a Santa now? M&S will be lost without you, so will the Cobblers! Every match will be empty now, no cheerful greeting at the top of the stairs for me to look forward to.

What will Thomas do for his Fat Controller now? I would have loved to take my little God daughter to see you, she would have had a blast... you too I am sure.

If I had one last chance to say goodbye, I'd make it last forever. If I had the chance to see you at the top of the stairs at the Cobblers, I'd hug you forever. I would make ever second count, knowing that those moments would have to last me forever.

I am glad I got to give you your birthday card and gift, I am thankful I got to speak to you before you left us.

With regret, the proudest day of my life will never be the same again; purely because you will not be there to celebrate with me. On Wed 24th of this month I shall be in St. Peter's Church to receive my long service medal with St. John, it will be the day I have looked forward to since I first joined St. John. My heart will be breaking as I am presented with it, I know you will be looking down on me with pride; but it still won't change the fact I wish you were there with me.

Thank you for always being there, for being the perfect gent and for being my Knight in shining armour. My town has just lost one of its legends...