Kate

Most people  don’t know what Boxing Day is. It is the day after Christmas. Around much of the world it is a public holiday, but to me..it’s my birthday. Birthdays  are meant to be fun, but the air is  somehwhat out of it this year, but I know you would want it be a happy Day , so I shall make it that way.

For 27 years, I have had either a big cuddle or a cute /sarcastic card from you- often both. The present was always secondary. Only those who are daughters or fathers  know what it is to have a father -daughter relationship. Like many, our was and always will be special. There was a reason why I called you “Little Andrew” . You publically didn’t like this, but privately I know you enjoyed it. Together we are masters at our inability in opening drawers and never closing them, leaving things out instead of putting them away, being organized to a fault with lists, taking the lead and making tasks happen and of course our passion for quizzes, that started when you were 4 and continued till your last days with us( OK I will confess you were a winner on TV programs and films, acceptable on capitals of US states and over 25 years, you were getting the hang of world capitals!!

So today is Deecmber 26th and we have the family with us to celebrate Christmas  and my birthday. It’s nice to have them around, and we all miss you. However I decided soon after you travelled to your new home, that you would not want us to be down and in sorrow but to move on in a positive way.

And so it has been these past  5 months!!!

Today I received a special birthday present. I woke up to feel the warmth of your soul , the hug only Kate can give and knew that you will always be with me every day , including my birthday. Thank you too for my card and gift. The card is invisible to all except you and I and the gift is priceless- the everlasting memory of “little Andrew” sitting on your perch in my heart forever, your love for me and your total capacity to call me at all hours to solve all of your lifes problems! That is why I always told you the same  words your entire life, including the last words I  ever spoke to you ..I love you unconditionally. I will always remember thise were your last words spoken to me as well.

I still  love you and I hope you will accept my present to you, which is  that you will always be part of our family celebrations and every birthday I am there ready for the card and cuddle we enjoy just to ourselves- thats why father- daughter relationships are so special- and by the way if anyone thinks I am crazy in what I am writing, who cares ? Who is going to argue with me over how I feel. I will always love you.

Shuggie.. all my love.. Dad