VALENTINES DAY THIS YEAR.

We are a month on and I have finally got around to getting these photos off mum.   I have gotta enter what we did for Valentines day this year.  It was a bit of a hard day for us all as 'Valentines Day' is mum and dad's wedding anniversary.  So I wanted mum to not feel too alone on this day that has been special for her and dad for the past 42 years.  Nix and I composed this cool poem below the night before Feb the 14th.  Then we went over to her house late Valentines Eve and 'Heart attacked' her house everywhere.  We sprinkled little hearts all over her doorstep with some chocolates and this special poem hanging from the door. (the idea of the poem was that it was from Dad to Mum) We stuck hearts all over her front lawn and  gel ones all over her car etc etc (see photos below).  She said she cried when she read our poem.  Then we went out for dinner to Verbenas with Keith and I, Aunty Robyn, Mum, Aaron and Sharis and Terry and Sha,  (all of mums closest and dearest).  Kylee also made some beautiful cup cakes for mum which we had delivered to our table when we were at dinner.  All in all it was a sad day as we all miss dad so much but nice to have an excuse to all get together.  The poem below sums it all up from us to them.  

Oh and you too Keithy Boy you are my Valentine,  I almost forgot as this day was kinda dedicated to mum and dad but I promise next year I will be all yours again.  ...  (I did give him chocolates too  LOL) 

Mums Doorstep

Mums Car,  it read, "We love you Queen Patricia".

This is mum's nick name for those of you who don't know that.

Polystyrene hearts all over the lawn.

Gel hearts etc over her car window.

A toast to Mum and Dad after mum read out the letter.

Kylee's beautiful Valentine Cupcakes below

For family home evening a few days before,  Keith and I and the kids made some lollie packs up for all the people they wanted to give them too.  During our night out I gave these out to all of the people there.  The kids gave them to their teachers etc and other people of their choice.  (see the cupid Poop bags below with lots of love heart lollies inside etc)

Then on dads birthday a few weeks ago (24th Feb)  everyone went out for dinner,  I made this cake to remember my Daddy.  I still miss him so so much each day,  and feel like it will always be hard!

WE BURY DADS ASHES

 On Wednesday the 9^th of Jan 2013 we went up to Snapper Rock as a family and buried dads ashes.  It was just Mum,  Aaron and Sharis and Ethan,  Me, Keith, Arama, Terina and Niwa and Terry (Dads best friend and Business partner). The only ones missing were Aunty Colleen, Uncle Ken,  Sarah and the rest of the family.

It was the most amazing weather and we had a lovely day.  

We got 10 Helium balloons, one for each of us and when we had finished Burying the ashes,  we all cut one balloon each and said something as we released it into the sky.  It was so impromptu and special.  We all said something and it was quite emotional and spiritual.  We got this all on video which I would like to edit and  put on my blog at a later time.  I Liked what Terry said “I will cut the string but will never cut the ties”,  Ethan said,  “I hope you are enjoying playing bowls in Heaven Poppa”,  Terina said “I love how you gave me money every Wednesday for Mini Muchie Markets at school Poppa”,  I said,  “Because of you Dad,  I will always try to ‘Reach for the Stars’,  Mum said "I think of you all the time Roddy",  Keith said “We will see you again someday Rod”,  I can’t remember everything everyone said but these are some of the words I remembered.

It was kind of cool how we just sat around informally chatting about our special Hero.

My special Arama contemplating.

Below:  These are Dads Cherry Tomatoes that have just turned red.

Mum Buried some with his box of ashes.  She also took some roses from

the garden that grew outside their bedroom window.

Below:  Arama wiping away his tears. My Darling 

Arama was so close to My Dad but Arama tells me

he isn't sad because he truely believes in the Plan that 

Familes can be together forever. 

Thank you Arama for being my strength!

I don't know where I would be without you!

I love you so much. xxx

Above:  Terry with Diesel his best friend who goes everywhere with him.

Below the kids with their new Surrogate Poppa.

Not that there will ever be another one that could ever measure 

up to my Greatest Hero Dad eva!

We all also had a turn at shoveling in some dirt on top of the ashes.   

The next few photos are of us all having a turn with the shovel.

 NIWA

 TERINA

 ARAMA

 MUM

ETHAN

 AARON

 ME

 TERRY

SHARIS

 KEITH

We truly loved our Dad and Poppa and Companion  (in mum’s case).   

I have had a special dream since dad has passed to let me know that he

is not too far away at all,  this has been very sacred and comforting for me.

However....  on this day I missed him dearly.  I got home and I just

cried and cried and cried.  Some days I just can't believe he has passed!

I miss you so much my dear Daddy,  I know you are not far away but that

doesn't stop me from missing you.

Please be patient while I grieve for you.

You are my inspiration and will always be a good reason for me

to try harder each day and to get up and keep going when I feel discouraged and low.

You always were one not to muck around and to just 'get the job done'  

so I won't waste too much

time crying but a little here and there won't hurt.

 YOU ARE FOREVER IN MY HEART!

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER  xxxx