‘Mike’s love and laughter are always with me’
Jane Jones, 69, lives in Kent with her son Greg, 34.
When I was in my late teens, a group of us would go to the pub every Friday night. One boy in the group, Mike, was a year older than me and a total hippy!
He asked me out, and our relationship blossomed. Both jokers, we’d have each other roaring with laughter. When I was 22, we got married, and went on to have two sons, Simon in 1979 and Greg in 1987. Mike always spoilt me with gifts, even buying me my dream car, a PT Cruiser.
We’d go on fabulous holidays, and I can still picture Mike strolling along the beach in his colourful shorts and red suede moccasins. He called them his ‘holiday shoes’, and I adored them. Whenever he got them out, I knew another fun-filled summer was beginning.
Mike played football for Croydon in his younger years, but went on to be a graphic designer, and I was so proud. I remember piling into a taxi after a night out and drunkenly gushing to the
driver that it was, in fact, my husband who had designed the logo on the side of his cab.
In December 2013, after 38 happy years together, Mike started to complain of shoulder pain. Weeks later, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and things didn’t look good.
He passed away the following April from chemo-related sepsis, aged 61.
Losing Mike was devastating for me and the boys, but I know he would have wanted us to live life to the fullest.
Even though I’m doing my best to do just that, and am even seeing someone new, my house is full of things that remind me of Mike. There’s a little toy truck in my dresser drawer, with the logo he designed stuck to the side. I also kept the red suede holiday shoes. They’re tatty and worn, but knowing they’re up in the attic is a comfort. I also wear a ring made of his ashes. Having pieces of Mike’s life keeps
his love and laughter with me always.
LITTLE REMINDERS
‘KNOWING THEY’RE IN THE ATTIC IS A COMFORT’