Dexter just turned 8 and had his first proper party, which we held at Clambers. He had a great turnout with 22 of his friends coming to celebrate and play with him, including Lexi and Ava (brought along by Cheryl), which just made it even better. He had the most amazing time and loved every minute of it! The only thing missing was you - and even he said he wished you could have been there with him. As I’ve said countless times now, he always talks about you - how much he loves you, how much he misses you, how you’re now an angel in heaven. We all love and miss you very much! Xxxxxx

Another year since you were taken and it hasn’t gotten any easier. I still miss you so very much and the regrets I have surrounding the time of your passing are still as painful as ever. I’m so sorry I didn’t do better for you, before you were taken! I have a lot of wonderful things in my life and I try to do as you taught me and focus on those wonderful things instead of the negative, but it’s hard, especially on a day like today. I hope you are in heaven (or some form of afterlife) and that you are doing okay. If you are able to look down on us, I’m sure it upsets you to see our sadness and struggles, but take some measure of comfort in knowing that your memory is loved and cherished by us all and that one day we will (hopefully) all be reunited. If you do live on, I can only assume it is without the horribly unfair pain inflicted upon you, and if I were certain in life beyond (which I truly wish I was), that would bring me great comfort, but for now at least I shall have to make do with hoping. I hope you live on in some way. I hope you are without pain. I hope you have been given the rewards you so very much deserve. I hope I didn’t let you down too much. I hope I can improve and be a better person and make you proud. I hope I can speak to you and see you again. I hope. Love you lots and miss you lots. Xxxxxx

Dexter is now in Year 3 a just completed his first week in his new class. It’s gone very well for the most part, save for one morning when he lost his way in the corridor on his way to his new classroom and ran back out to me very upset bless him - he found how au to class not long after though and had a good day. He looks so smart in his uniform. He misses you so much and still talks about all the time. He has a crystal necklace of yours hanging up in his room and he says you give it energy to scare bad dreams and monsters away. Josh continues with his homeschool and his Hedge club that you used to take him to; he goes by himself now and has made some really great friends there - the club has been wonderful socially for him. He misses you greatly also and will often recall fond memories of times shared with you. Your caravan has been a godsend for Ehlana and has given her (and everyone really) much needed personal space. I’m sure she appreciates what you’ve done for her, as we all do. Sarah is fighting on, just like you did, putting a smile on despite all the pain hardships that she faces. She often speaks of you and Nan, along with her Mum and Dad, and she tells me that you’re all up there, together, looking down on us. I’m… trying. I miss you so very much! Sarah says she has felt you coming to visit and k very much want that to be true to feel it for myself, but unfortunately I don’t. I want believe, but to quote a famous movie “faith is a gift I am yet to receive” and so for now, I continue on with a mixture of hope and despair; but if you are there, just know that I love you very much! I’m sorry to say, we are losing contact with Ron, Trudie etc. and largely due to how introverted and insular I’ve become. They are wonderful people and I know they too miss you and think of you - sorry I haven’t been better at keeping in contact. Just thought I’d give you a little update, prompted by the new school year. We all love you and miss you very much. You will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts!