For Lou

Because these were your favourites and this one opened out especially for you today!
Three years today you've been gone, a day for remembering. Not remembering the end, or the weeks leading up to the end but remembering you how you were before that bastard disease took hold of you for the second time. The pre-school days - you, Amanda and me with mini Lauren, Amber and Bella. Caitlyn still a lump down you jumper!! So many days of fun and laughter, the woods, the beach, afternoons spent lounging in the sun in your garden while the kids splashed around in the paddling pool. Pre-school sports day with you thrashing us all in the mum's race. Sunshine, my memories of you are full of sunshine.
The children's first day at school, wandering around like lost souls all day, clock watching, constantly checking our phones. The birthday parties. The college days, us as supposedly mature students losing the plot and giggling under the tables like naughty children. That always happened at 2 o'clock. The heated political 'debates' with both of us refusing to see the other's point of view! Lunch in the canteen, the ridiculous amount of vinegar you used to put on your fish - like you were trying to revive it by giving it a sea of vinegar to swim in. The tequila fuelled nights out that always ended in 5 foot me having to drag 6 foot you through town and wrestle you into a taxi. I would love to see CCTV footage of that, it's making me smile just thinking about it.
So many memories of an amazing lady and a best friend. I'm so glad I have them.
Rest in peace Loulou, and a happy 11th birthday to your beautiful girl xx