This is deeply personal and I’ve thought about this from the day I started this blog. I have shared openly and honestly our thoughts, lives and letters and yet I’ve considered keeping this one last letter private. I have decided to share only parts of it, others parts of it I will keep to myself. As J himself wrote parts of this letter are “flippant and … Continue reading J’s last letter.
Barry received this letter from his mother, it was a short, simple letter sent on 22 August 2002, he didn’t respond. On 2 September 2002 it would take on a whole other meaning. Continue reading A short simple letter, it’s importance not known at the time.
From: ‘S’ Date: 07 January 2002 08:05AM To: ‘J’ Subject: You back yet? I feel really bad, but I had such trouble talking to Mum after she told me about her cancer, it took me nearly a week to call her back, no doubt she told you. I don’t really know why, just found I couldn’t pick up the phone and call her. Anyway she … Continue reading Christmas was shit. Mum’s got cancer and I’m fat again.
20 May 2000 Dearest S, Barry, Brady and O, It’s been a long time since I’ve written a letter so please excuse the scrawl. S I didn’t mean to offend by not sending a card for O when she was born, there was no intent meant so I’m truly sorry if it appeared there was. If I look up from where I’m writing this letter … Continue reading All good plans come unstuck.
23 November 1998 Dear J, Do hope you have a beaut birthday. Pop is gradually coming better, it’s a long slow process, he had more x-rays last week but he is so weak and he just runs out of puff but he is eating a lot better again so should get his strength back. No veggie garden this year, have got a couple of tomato … Continue reading Rabbits don’t mind what colour flowers they eat.
This is a letter I received from Jack’s mother. I have always ensured that Brady has had full contact with her father and his parents since our split, and to this day Brady still spends every second Christmas with them in the UK. I feared Vito my father-in-law, I found him very prickly. Carmela is a wonderful person, the unseen go-between of factions of the family … Continue reading Kept my matches in my pocket and left this bridge standing.
September 1998 Barry’s house under construction (below) – it was to become a much loved home and provided the walls for years of wonderful memories, love and laughs. It was affectionately known as the Pink House (yes the front was rendered in parts and painted a light shade of pink – much to Brady’s gleeful delight). Barry asked Brady and I to move in with him, which … Continue reading Thirty & Oh So Happy
Letter from Barry whilst still on holidays in Australia, to S in the UK with J. 11 January, 1998 S, I love you and want to spend my life with you – simple as that – I miss you terribly – the phone calls and emails are contact but I need your physical presence – I need to see you, smell you – I need to … Continue reading My heart remembers the sentiment and my head remembers the words.
Written by Barry who was spending Christmas ’97 in Australia with his father who immigrated to Melbourne with his second wife. Barry’s Mother who also remarried remained in the UK. 27 December, 1997 S, I have been trying to analyse why I am so attracted you; I know what my feelings are towards you and I think I know why, but I don’t yet … Continue reading Courting by correspondence.
4 March 1997 Dear S, Jack and Brady, Just a few lines in with a card to wish you a very Happy 4th Anniversary. Thanks so much for your phone call on my birthday, the postie delivered your parcel and card on my birthday so that also made it extra special. I love the book, thanks a lot and the lovely snaps too I haven’t had a … Continue reading Our first trip in a plane and it was an Air Ambulance.
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