I was talking with my mother-in-law the other day and did not have to tell her how much I had always appreciated the fact that her husband had always referred to me as his daughter and never his daughter-in-law. 

In talking to my husband Paul about his dad he disagreed with his mother when she said he was his father first and foremost. He told her that 'firstly he was his friend, his confidant and his advisor but that when things 'came to a head' he was never slow in making it perfectly clear that he was his father. Paul said his father was not without a quick temper and sometimes short of patience but nevertheless, in his own way, he was a fantastic husband as his mother would agree and a loving father to his three children. Despite his quick temper my husband would not deny that his father's traits were always backed up with a kind heart and a kind thought for everyone; that he put his wife first, then his children and then his grand- children.

It is important therefore that  we can take a minute to remember the man that we all called 'dad. He always looked forward to tomorrow with strength and determination unaware that one day he would fall ill with leukemia that would result in him being taken from his family prematurely.

Rest in peace dad - you will be greatly missed and this tribute is made to let you know that you are much loved xx