Daughter taken just after putting life back on track

Dear June

WE lost our darling daughter on Christmas Day, 1999, but it still feels like yesterday.

As a family, we all dread Christmas as it brings so many debilitating memories. She was a beautiful 22-year-old who had her life ahead of her. She had battled substance abuse for nearly five years and had only just managed to regain control of her life when she was taken from us. Is she still close to us and will our hearts ever mend?

Carol, via email.

June Says

To suffer a loss on a day celebrated by most is particularly devastating as you watch others around you happily joining in the festivities while you feel empty, lost and numb.

We all feel sadness when we approach the time we were parted from someone loved.

We couldn’t have imagined life without them.

We mostly acknowledge the day with a thought, a memory, a prayer and a silent tear.

The festive hype starts around October and, because of this, families who have lost on or around Christmas will feel the pain much sooner and more intensely as it approaches.

Christmas will no longer be looked upon as a happy time and your emotional feelings towards it will have changed for ever.

I am initially aware of a large brown dog fast approaching as I link with spirit.

A capital J has been held up, which I feel is significant to a name or month.

As spirit draws closer, all I am aware of are a pair of beautiful soft brown eyes looking straight at me. I sense this to be your daughter.

You mentioned substance abuse but that she was back on track. Although I sense a quick and unexpected passing, I don’t get the impression she strayed back towards her addiction. It’s as if her body just gave out. Her demeanour is calm. She wants to confirm to you she has the dog with her.

An older lady steps forward and I feel she was ill for some time before she passed.

They are together and have a special bond.

Your heart will be totally mended when the day eventually comes and you are reunited with them.

VERDICT

Our daughter’s name was Jennifer.

We lost our boxer dog a few years after Jenny and always hoped she had him as they were very close.

My sister died of lung cancer before Jenny and I prayed she would look after her for me.

We were all very close to each other as there were only two years between us and she loved Jenny too.

Jenny passed unexpectedly of heart failure after suffering pneumonia (she had been in and out of hospital due to this over the last year).

It was as if her body just gave up.