RIP Uncle

It is 4 years ago today that my Uncle passed away. I'll always remember this day as it is sadly the day before my Dad's birthday.

I was always quite close to my Uncle, despite him not living in the UK. I remember him coming over for holidays and being taken out by him as a small kid. I remember going on a family holiday in winter to stay with him and my Auntie and 2 cousins (although at the time technically only 1 cousin existed!). I remember my first summer holiday at uni when I went to stay with them and my Uncle was so cool and let me travel by train all the way to Venice in Italy as a couple of my uni friends were on holiday there, and my parents had said it was too far away and dangerous. I remember the summer before he died I went on a camping holiday with my then boyfriend and we made an impromptu visit to them. That was the last time I saw him.

I recall one summer that I spent with them we went out on a pedalo in some lake somewhere... I can't remember exactly where as I was quite young then. It seemed quite fitting today that I went out in a rowing boat in Battersea Park with a couple of friends and spent half an hour taking in the scenery, the wildlife, and trying to get the hang of rowing!! It was so peaceful and I had a few moments to myself to remember and celebrate my Uncle's life.

Thinking about my Uncle today has reiterated the point that life is short. He left behind a beautiful wife and 2 young children. He didn't even get to see them grow up. I'm going to try to make the most of things, my life is here and now - ready and waiting to be lived. I'm not going to put my life on hold for anyone. I'm not going to dwell on the past and think about what might have been, or think too much about the future and worry that I'll end up alone and unhappy. I have to concentrate on making me happy now... all the rest will fall into place.

And what better time to do this than summertime in London? It was a glorious day today... and I have to confess that I'm a little pink now on my shoulders despite using sun lotion and sitting in the shade. Grr. The last couple of days I've had great food and great company in the sun. What more could I ask for? Well, it would've been nice to share moments like this with Mr Special, but he is halfway across the world. And I've got to stop thinking about him.

I wonder if he has thought about me at all in the last few days???