It is impossible to truly perceive depth of loss, emotion and despair until you are faced with the loss of a parent and in my case my father. Only 77 years young, a charismatic, larger than life human being who had a passion for politics, a Labour Councillor for South Cambs., a singer, actor, a producer for the BBC and above all a great father who’s total means of punishment was to talk me to death. He passed away unexpectedly on 23rd December 2014 from heart disease. It has thrown my world upside down particularly after having lost my little sister only 3 years ago from MS. Life, this world, has felt cold and empty without them, but I am grateful I have the love and warmth of my husband and my two sons.

We all love to have control of our lives, to make plans and dictate our life’s direction, but when mortality comes in to play, control is lost and bigger questions surface, for example, the true meaning of life and happiness. Should we just work until we leave this earth, taking precious time away from those we love? It is now more apparent than ever that life is precious and momentary. That we must divide our time between work and economics, life and the living. If we do that, we will have quality of life and the hope that we may leave behind a legacy to benefit the many generations that follow.