05/03/23 

It is with much sadness that I learnt of the passing of Martin, @cest5612. There was a post on his Instagram that created confusion for me.  I messaged him to find out if I understood his post correctly.  Unfortunately, I did. 

His wife was kind enough to respond to me via his account and inform me that he had died the previous evening.  To learn of this whilst on the train home after spending a weekend away with my boys was truly heartbreaking.  I cannot begin to think how his children must be feeling.  And I don’t want to think about how my two would react.   

I know one day this will happen and I often pray to all things holy, that it isn’t for a very long time.  I am teaching my lads so much, giving them so many life lessons and watching them grow into absolutely wonderful young men – this makes me constantly proud. I know they sometimes bicker and argue, but this is simply how brothers are.  When they sit and talk to one another, follow each other around the shops, laugh, joke and play together, well, that’s when I know that I’m doing my job properly. 

I love you so much boys, and I know – I truly know – that you’ll always make me proud to say I’m your dad.  Whether it’s rugby, school, gaming, life, humour, arts, cooking, politeness and manners, whatever it is, please know that you two are my all, my everything, my life and my love. 

Regardless of where we all end up, I’m only one journey away…