Sally's Race for Life

Some words about our Mum Those of you close to me and my family will know that this week marks 1 year since my Mum, Jo, passed away. We could never have imagined life without Mum, Jo, the beating heart of our family unit. Whilst this week and the weeks following will be especially tough, we'll get through it. She would expect us to. And we'll be thankful beyond words for all the days passed that we spent together. Nothing can come close to filling the enormous void that we continue to feel every day, and no doubt will always feel in all the days and years ahead of us. We will remain broken, at a loss and forever lonely without Mum, Jo. But, we’re still here, I'm still here. Here, with my family. It would've been so easy to just close the curtains and let life pass by for a while, until the mist clears. But I'm determined not to let that happen. Not for me or my family. My family won't let me fall, and I won't let them fall either. We will hold each other up and we'll drag each other into tomorrow, until eventually life feels just that little bit lighter. My Mum, Jo, was special. She was very funny, very strong, she was able to learn from her mistakes and let go of things (except wine). She cared deeply for people and had a real appreciation of life. She was the best forward thinker and always had 100’s of plans on the go at once. You could say she over-committed at times! Nothing limited her, she simply wouldn’t allow it. She wasn’t perfect, nobody is. But she wasn’t far off. One of the things I have found most difficult is realising that my Mum is not here to challenge me and keep me on track, to remind me to be kind, generous and to see things from a different perspective and with an open mind. I’m trying to consciously live my life in a way that she would be proud of and these are some of the things she taught me… If you're lucky enough to be surrounded by family and friends or even if you have one special person or pet, appreciate them. Tell them every day how much you love them. Be present. Put down your phone, look up from the TV, don't snap or tut, listen, appreciate and love them. Be present now, not next time or when you have more time. The time is now. Because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. Read and be interested in what’s going on around you – look outside of your comfort zone, you never know what you might find. Life is wonderful and rich and happy so go get it, live it and love it, with your people. Make memories, as many as you can. Don't dwell on the bad days. Forgive yourselves and others, don't get stuck in guilt and blame - its limiting, don't be limited. Be generous, people have tough days, your generosity could be the difference between a bad and a better day. Make eye contact and smile, say good morning. Your positivity might just make someone else's day, and what could be better than that? Listen, Appreciate and Love. Don’t Look Down, Look Forward. Take a day to speak only in a French accent, because, why the hell not. And for God’s Sake, plant some bee friendly flowers in your garden, because without the bees we’re all buggered.