TRIBUTE 14/12/2011 My Mum knew real grief, she was born a fighter, she was a blue baby, she lived a fighter, she lost her baby, and she died a fighter, she had many illnesses, despite those and her grieving for her baby (also for her Brothers, Sisters, Parents and more), being in constant pain and fighting to survive daily, she remained a positive and happy person – she loved and was loved in return by all she held dear, which was her family and most of you here today. Her heart was huge; she had a huge capacity for loving people, and animals – Suzy, Patch, Sandy, Billie, Sasha, Meg, Molly, and Judy to name but a few dogs along the way. My Mum was funny – she lit up any room with her hearty laughter and radiant smile. She was a giver, never took, just gave. She took in many waifs and strays over the years, many friends of her children who didn’t really have a loving family. Those people, you know who you are, are grieving as we are. They loved her just as immensely as we all did & do. Ivy Jean Blandford – nee Southgate was one of 12 children born into a loving family, a very close family, my Mum adored each and every one of her siblings and idolised her parents. Mum met Dad very young, they married young and had a beautiful daughter Denise. Sadly Denise died before she was 2 in 1957 (54 years ago). Mum and Dad never stopped grieving for their first born, and today Mum is reunited with Denise. I don’t really want to tell any funny stories, I feel that is for the future and besides there are so so many!! So instead I will read a poem I wrote earlier this week… We’ve gathered here to say goodbye We sit, we wonder why, just why? You fell asleep 12 days ago We wonder why, we do not know? Home you came on Monday night To help us through this dreadful plight We stare, we wonder, we cry a lot But you being here has helped a lot We talk to you, we comb your hair We hold your hand because we care Today we came to say goodbye We cry we wonder why, oh why? But this too true as we all know You had to leave, you had to go You’ve gone to join your baby You’ve waited for so long She’ll welcome you with open arms Everlasting love so strong We’ll miss and long to hold you To feel the love you bring Your memory will live on We won’t forget a thing Our hearts, our souls are broken Your love will see us through There’s never been a mother As beautiful as you SWEET DREAMS DARLING – WE LOVE YOU xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx