Hello Dad,
Happy birthday! I wanted to add a story, but I wasn't able to, so I'm leaving my thoughts in a tribute. I thought of you yesterday when things got too intense at home, and for the first time, I felt you hold my hand and give me a hug.
As you know, we're in lock down with the rest of the world. It has only been three weeks since I pulled the kids out of school and Mum left for Gisborne, but it has already become our new way of life. We have a very structured routine and the kids help daily with the dishes, the laundry and making up their beds. They're doing so well under the circumstances. I'm so proud of them. I must remember to tell them! Whilst life feels very small and close, there are positives to spending so much time with Sergio and the kids.
We all go once a day to the 'new' football reserve with Coco. Sergio reminded me yesterday that it used to be a wild grassland in front of the original football reserve. I stood there today, on your birthday, and remembered so vividly when you played football there with Lucas and Isabella. They were so young, 4 and 2, both pre-schoolers. I missed you then and wished yet again that they were not growing up without the magic of you.
Still, Mum and I keep your memory alive, both for ourselves and for them, in such a natural, daily way, that our shared memories of you stay clear, even as their very early original ones are more faded. Isabella sings Chicory Chick! And she knows it's your song. I'm so very proud to have passed such a foolish legacy on to her! And Lucas knows that when either he or I are whacking our bellies like a drum, we are channelling you!
Anyway, Dad, I hope you also had and shared great memories up there on your birthday.
We always love you and miss you.
Sandra xxxx