Died September 11th, 2006 To Steph, That morning you made Anna look like a little Princess for school. You put her hair in bunches, pink ribbons on either side. I remember standing in the playground as you worked at the school crossing just 100 yards away. I was looking at Anna, then looking over to you, feeling the glorious September sun and I know that day I was the happiest man on Earth. Adam had gone to school happy and I just felt so proud of our family. You’d made me truly content for the first time in my life. I always looked around while standing in the playground, just to make sure I could see your Lollipop stick and yellow coat and that some idiot driver hadn’t stopped too late. I was being daft I thought. I remember the cheeky smile you’d just given me and Anna as you crossed us at the lights on the way into the school yard. I always took the mickey out of you, demanding preferential treatment or telling you to get a move on! “See you later sweetheart” you said to Anna, “Have a nice day in school and I’ll see you at home time…” We never knew the horror that home time would bring … or that Anna would never see that smile or hear those reassuring words again. We never knew that as Adam made his way home from High School a mile away, he would never have the chance to see you one more time. I never knew what was about to greet me as I made my way to pick Anna up, a packet of her favourite bubble gum for her, and some mints for you, Steph. As I write this it’s nearly Christmas - another without you. I don’t know why, but this is the worst yet. We just really need you here. If we could all hold you and tell you how much we loved you, how empty the house is without you, how nothing makes sense anymore, how scared we all are about the future … then we would. But most of all, we’d just say one word, thank you! You were the best mum, wife, daughter, sister and friend that anyone could have. We are all proud and grateful to have known and loved you. God Bless Steph. Sweet Dreams Darling. Martin, Anna and Adam x