My favourite thing

The radio presenter remembers her beloved grandfather by wearing a necklace

For radio presenter Edith Bowman, it’s a necklace with a special story

Iwas the first grandchild in the Bowman family, and incredibly close to my grandfather. My mum, Eleanor, tells me that when I was a baby he used to walk me so much, the wheels of my pram wore out! I’d stay with him on weekends; every Friday after school until my dad picked me up on Sunday night. In a way he was like my third parent. On Sundays we’d go rowing on the boats in Craigtoun Country Park, Fife, and I remember vividly eating ice creams with him, climbing trees, walking along the beach and picking up stones.

He passed away on Christmas Eve, 14 years ago. I was with him when he died, which I think was fitting for our relationship. I got to Scotland in time to see him, and I was devastated when he went, but there was something quite warm and loving about that moment, too. Maybe because I knew we had had the best relationship possible.

A few years later, Mum gave me a necklace containing his ashes. When I opened it and saw the inscription on the back, with the date he passed, I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn’t speak. Wearing it is like a comfort blanket; it feels like I have him with me.

I now see my kids developing a special relationship with my own parents – it’s lovely to see the next generation of Grandad Bowman coming through.

I talk about my grandad with my kids and we’ve got pictures of him up in the house. He’s always here.

Edith supports Stand Up To Cancer, a campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4; Standuptocancer.org.uk