It has been a difficult week. One of my dear friends passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a husband and two small children.

When my dad and grandad left this world, it was just as awful and emotional, but why the death of Jenny has really struck a chord with me is because her life is so reflective of mine.

As you know, I also have young children and a soulmate and cannot imagine ever leaving them.

You go through life crossing paths with people and some just stick with you. Jenny was one of those for me.

She was funny, uncomplicated, bad at spelling and always last to leave the party.

Needless to say, she had lots of friends and was loyal. I did not see her all the time but we were always in contact either by text or phone and whenever we were together we were always laughing.

Two weeks ago I went to see her in hospital and as we watched our partners and children running around screaming in the courtyard we had a conversation I will never forget.

She was not ready to die and wanted the pain to end. We talked about whether there was an afterlife.

I really hope there is a heaven and that she is making herself comfortable with a large glass of wine.

I remember telling her that none of us can control everything in our lives and what happens in the future, but what we are in control of is the now.

Those words have resonated within me since we shed a tear together that day.

So all I have now are amazing memories of Jenny and the opportunity to take on board the advice I gave her.

Life is short, so I need to cherish those that matter the most.

If I should go tomorrow,

It would never be goodbye,

For I have left my heart with you,

So don’t you ever cry.

The love that’s deep within me,

Shall reach you from the stars,

You’ll feel it from the heavens,

And it will heal the scars.

Rest in peace Jenny. X