For our friend J

Some people come into your life and they make an incredible influence on you.

22 years ago at the age of 13 I started kayaking. At the time my mum didn't have a car, so a couple J & G took me under their wing (as they did many like me) and gave me countless opportunities to participate and compete in kayaking. Canoe Slalom, Canoe Polo... Training weekends on white water. They did this all in the name of promoting grass root kayaking and because they could, nothing more, nothing less. They loved to see kids enjoying themselves in this sport.

For me these weekends were influential and play a part of who I am today. They gave me and taught me independence, responsibility and gave me confidence. All under the safe watchful eye of J & G. My tent was always a mass of disorganisation and I had a varied array of different tents, some of which were a team building exercise in their own right! But those weekends (and the games of rounders, who can forget them!!) have given me long lasting happy memories of my youth and without J & G I wouldn't have had those opportunities and memories.

J sadly died of cancer on the 2nd of April and I will miss her greatly! I hate the retched disease with a passion. J would be 66 this week.

The service was fitting and a lovely celebration of her life and all that she achieved herself and with G. The chapel was filled to the rafters a testament to how well liked and loved she will always be. P.H. another canoeist from a neighbouring club gave a wonderful and truly spot on eulogy.

Afterwards we all met at a local golf club and talked and remembered with a few laughs in there too. M, J's son had red wine spilt on him... Well it wouldn't be a D party would it ;-) I made the comment to R that there was 22 years of people in my life in one room, whilst we go in different ways what was special was the way we all talked as if we'd only seen each other yesterday. I know J would have wandered round the room nattering to as many as she could and G would have same problem as R had... Getting me away as I found someone else to talk to!

Devastated by your loss J, but thank you for the memories. A battle bravely fought a testament to your character. So pleased you got to see your grand daughter born in January. Miss you always. Rest in peace
S. xx