concern that has been shown to us.

We had the most beautiful service - lots of crying and guess what I got right through the Eulogy to the very last line. I had typed out 4 pages of my memories. Everyone loved it and it wasn't until the very last line that I had to stop as I could feel the tears welling and dropping. I calmed myself by just thinking that there were so many of you people praying for me.

Over the past years I'd ring Mum just to see how their day was going and sometimes Dad would answer (this was when he could still talk properly) and I'd say "How are you Dad?" and he'd say "Alright later on, not bad tomorrow" -------- so of course I finished my eulogy with that and that was when I lost it.

Trevor got up and spoke after me and made it a bit lighter with some of the funny sayings Dad used to say and some were a bit risque! So there was lots of laughter.

Then our three children Ben, (only grandson) Dana and Amy got up and all three of them broke down crying uncontrollably - but they comforted each other. It was such a privilege to witness, we were very proud of them.

After Dad left the church our Priest Wendy and assistant Michelle walked in front of the hearse to the main street - only about a 60 metre walk. Boy, was that a moving gesture, you can imagine all of us just crying our eyes out by then.

Wendy knew Dad was not religious and so she gave us the most beautiful contemporary service. The first song was "Too Young" by Nat King Cole (Mum and Dad's theme tune), we then had Blue Spanish Eyes just after my Eulogy (Dad's favourite) and then after the Lord's Prayer "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban and then as the coffin left the church Hallelujah by K.D. Lang as far as I'm concerned the best version of it.

Well, by then you can imagine, we were just balling our eyes out.

On Dad's coffin was all of his favourite flowers with the most beautiful scent. In the middle was 3 red roses, one for each of his girls - Mum, Me and my sister Julie. As the coffin was leaving the Funeral Director picked up one of the red roses and placed it on the coffin.

Once Dad had gone I got up and asked everyone to come in to the church hall for afternoon tea. As we were having afternoon tea we watched a great power point presentation of Dad's life that our darling daughter Dana had put together.

The afternoon tea was all put on by the women of the church - for which we were so grateful. We had to do nothing, I only bought flowers (all natives) and one of our wonderful ladies did the most beautiful display of them.

My Uncle Brian, my husband Trevor, our son Ben and our son-in-laws Jason and Steve walked Dad out to the hearse. Following Jason was little Ryke (4 years old) who didn't really understand that Dad had died. Oh! the innocence of children is so wonderful.

Dana told Jasana that Puppa had gone to heaven and she asked "Who's Kevin?" well that bought a great burst of laughter.

Well, he has gone and my memories are forever. We have all our family around us and we are here for Mum. My sister is very torn - she is thinking of coming up here to Newcastle from Tumby Bay to live. We will continue to pray for that to happen.

I just wanted to have the last couple of days to spend with all our family before I wrote this to all you beautiful men and women who prayed for me.

God is so good. He has kept his promise to me and Mum.

Much love and blessings Chris