was thinking of all your children today and remembering how you fretted about leaving london to go live in liverpool and not being near your elder kids here in london. when you sat me down, all serious, and begged me to keep in contact with them on your behalf, i laughed at your serious expression but quickly realised you were indeed worried about them all, despite them being adults themselves. you worried that they would feel abandoned if you went and there was no one person here to just touch base with them now and again, you said. i promised to honour your wishes and i was happy to do so. whenever we sat and talked over our childhood and families, you always referred to jason and robert as your 'boys' and said with pride that they were 'safe'. you always called carla your 'diamond', you referred to becky as your 'twinkling star' and called donna your 'baby girl'. i always teased you about the way you obviously loved them all and thought so highly of them, but i was proud that you loved them all as individuals. you often worried that they did not know just how much you loved them but i am sure they did and i will continue to tell them all the little things you always said about them that showed without a doubt, just how deep your love for them was and always will be. remember how we used to crack up every time we said our favourite things to be called were 'mum' [me] and 'dad' [you]. why it made us roll around with laughter i dont know, but it always did. maybe cos we knew it was a simple thing to say but it said everything at the same time. your 'boys', your 'diamond', your 'twinkling star' and your 'baby girl' will forever be proud to say you were their dad and they were your children. i will forever and a day be proud to call you my 'bro' - my brother, confidante and best friend. our love for you knew no bounds and just how much we truly miss you, can never be put into words. love and miss you bro. xxxx