Joan and Danny were friends with all their neighbours including our family whom lived just two doors up from them.
Danny used to take me fishing to a pond close to where I now live in his blue mini. He was a really funny man.
Joan was great fun too, I was very fond of her as a boy. She had the most outrageous laugh. I have a very distant memory of falling asleep on her lap on a train from the seaside!
Paul was a little older than me. He loved music and clubbing. We went to the same school. I don't believe he was fond of football, playing in his band ‘Respect’ was his life then. I have spoken with old friends of Paul in recent years, he is a loss to them all.
Carol was a very pretty girl with cherub like cheeks and a lovely smile. I remember her riding one of those pretend horses around. It was a cloth horses head on a stick. She loved horses.
Our families held Christmas parties, went to the seaside and picknicked in places like Burnham Beeches and Wycombe Rye together.
All so very long ago, precious memories of when we were young, that I will hold forever

Every year we used to prepare something for Paul’s birthday. A small surprise filled with a lot of love.

 He never knew what’s next and we enjoy doing surprises for him.

Last year it was a bit difficult because  I  came back  home around the same time like him so  I did not had time to sort things out  , so I  asked Ela to keep him busy and out of dining room.

She asked Paul to come in her room to show him some YouTube videos (which later he told me it was awkward,but at the beginning didn’t ring any bell).

 I was supposed to call her when everything is sorted, so, Paul went upstairs and I started to arrange the table with cards, presents, cake, balloons and a lot of sparkly signs of happy birthday. But, it took me some time and Paul finished watching the video and I heard him trying to get out of Ela’s room talking with her. 

Of course I panicked because I was half ready….and I shouted at Ela in our foreign language that I am not ready, do something.

She panicked too and she told Paul “Paul, you cannot go downstairs”.

 Immediately he realised that something is happening and he stood smiling on the top of the stairs, knowing exactly what we are up to, but waiting for my call. I smiled and I have also realised that he understood what I have told Ela in our foreign language because he was quite good at that.

When he came downstairs he was so excited and happy, and so full of life. He was surprised by the presents and arrangement. I was so happy that I made him happy and I manage to show him how much we love him.

I loved doing this kind of surprises for him. We used to do little things really often and make each other happy. Like a note under the pillow, or a text even we were in the same room sending our love, or cooking his favourite meal, or baking his favourite cakes and puddings and bread. Little things …. filling our life with joy and love.

This year, nobody will be here , and this HURTS! A LOT!   

Our hearts are bleeding. We bought 3 helium balloons which we will let them to fly, around the same hour in the afternoon when we used to celebrate Paul’s birthday. Every balloon has a note from each of us.

 

“So please celebrate my birthday

Filled with memories and love

Just close your eyes and realise

I am celebrating in Heaven above”

We miss you my love.

Love Forever

Alisa and the girls