Missed you so much over Christmas. We will all be thinking of you on New Years eve, a candle will be burning for you next to your garden. With lots of love from Mum Dad David Suzanne and Bump xxx

Visited your bench on Wednesday as did Cathy as well as flowers we left a poem that Dad wrote for you. So much love to you from us and  many many other xxxx

The Bench

I like to think Old Joe watches over him at this place of rest,

For here he was free of demons and happy within himself.
His life cut short by faulty genes, laid down by biology,
What joy and memories he gave us before he slipped away,

I know Old Joe guards over him as he lies beneath the bench,
A part of him lives on, you see, in harmony with nature's fate.
His ashes feeds life anew to plants and bushes growing strong,
In this bed of Eden. "We are here," we say, "his spirit is so near."

In the crisp autumnal evening, Old Joe casts his shadow on the bench.
Students drift by in chattering groups, their daily lectures spent.
The term is ending, time for play, Christmas and New Year parties await!
Life on the run, no time to stop, their laughter fades - they go from sight.

Old Joe's hands keep moving on, towards the appointed hour,
Night closes and the stars sparkle faintly, in the universal sky,
Lifting the loneliness we feel, deep within our aching hearts.
Will memories of our young son, carry us through the dark?

Old Joe strikes three  times, at a quarter to the hour of seven,

This was the time of his passing, I wish I could believe in Heaven,

All is not lost, he's with us now, in mind and spirit still,

Captured in the words for him on the bench beside Old Joe.

Colin and Monica Strawson 

©CJAYS Poem 3rd December 2014

Birthday thoughts

Well my darling boy 37 today. This year your birthday has seemed so hard people who say it gets better with time are lying. Dad and I went to your bench with some flowers for you and told you about all the people who are thinking about you. David and Suzanne will be coming on Thursday tonight your candle is light for you I hope you can see it. xxxxxxx

Sending you lots of Christmas Love xxxx

Miss you so much my beautiful boy, Dad and I will be there at you bench for you tomorrow and we will light a candle in the garden xxx

Wow, I just came on here to check out the new blog and it was so funny to see the photograph of Martin.  That photo was taken on my mobile phone camera (before mobile phone cameras got really good).  I took it in a pub in Exeter where Martin and I went for dinner and to watch the rugby.  The reason for the photo is that the pub cat had just had kittens and the landlords had put the sleeping kittens in bird cages around the pub - so cute!
Martin - I just wanted to let you know that I have just booked a trip to Birmingham to the Camping and Caravan Show.  We will stay with my Aunt Susan and Uncle Tony who you met when we did the coast walk near the Donkey Sanctuary and our plan is to make a long overdue trip to your bench on campus the day before the show.  I haven't been back to campus since that reunion you organised where we all stayed at the Tennis Courts so it will feel strange to be back.
Life is very busy with a new baby and a new job but I think of you often and your name is often mentioned in our home.  When I was at my parents over Christmas I found some old letters from you that made me chuckle, including the "all new Vic and Martin friendship based crossword" - remember that?!  Vic xxx

Clare - 2012-12-10 15:08:11

Thinking of you Martin and missing your madcap humour. A friend. Birmingham x