Rest In Peace Uncle Paul

This blog has always been intended to capture memories of our family as a kind of time capsule for the kids to refer to in years to come, this includes the ups and downs of life. Unfortunately today's blog is one of those downs as it is with great sadness and a tear in my eye that Uncle Paul (my brother-in-law) passed away yesterday having not recovered from a horrible stroke which he suffered in 2017.

I will always have fond memories of Paul from air shows that we went to many years ago (which he absolutely loved), from family BBQ's, Bonoween and Boxing Day celebrations. We are so grateful that despite the stroke in 2017 he was still able to join the family for one last Boxing Day to celebrate Xmas this year. He was a wealth of knowledge at times and the go to man if ever you needed a tool or some guidance/help putting in a phone extension or something like that. As a Manchester United supporter he was a little bit of an oddball in the family in terms of a football fan - but no one can be perfect. He will certainly be missed massively by the KISMET crew and I only hope he has gone to a better place and is enjoying a nice beer in heaven with Mum and Slim.

The kids have all reacted differently to the news. Joshua has taken it very badly as he did with his Nan (my Mum). This morning he was very upset and crying his eyes out saying how much he missed Paul and he also got upset a few times at school today and ended up in tears. Brandon hasn't really shown any emotional signs but has asked if he will be going to the funeral - we have told him no as we do not believe the kids are old enough. Holly has no understanding of what has happened and still thinks her Uncle Paul is getting better and that she will be able to have a sleep over at Auntie Nicky's soon.

It is times like this that I really hate the circle of life. Within our family it almost seems like recently it is a case of "one in, one out" what with the passing of Nan Pugh, Uncle David, Cousin Michael, my Mum, Slim and now Paul. The thing that tears me up the most is the thought that Paul will not get to see how the life of Zoe and Amy will play out and even more so the fact that he will not get to meet his grandchild later this year. He was so thrilled with the news that Zoe was pregnant and that he was due to be a Granddad.

Events like this really bring home just how much you should treasure every single second you have on this planet as you never know when your time is up. I have no regrets about starting our family later in life, however my absolute biggest fear in life is now something like this happening to me and leaving my own kids without a Dad and not being able to watch them grow, flourish and hopefully one day meet my own grand children.

Anyway a picture speaks a thousand words. So here are a few memories from Uncle Paul for us all to remember.