Dearest Pat This was our first Christmas and New Year apart since we first met in 1959, and it has been impossible not to think of the very many festive periods, 56 in all, that were always the high point of our year. From Cheltenham to Clevedon, Kenilworth to Modbury, and Dunchurch to Trebetherick, festive celebrations were always happy family occasions, even when marred by illness, sorrow, or work commitments. Particular memories abound, such as driving to Brands Hatch for the Boxing Day Motor racing meeting, dropping the nearly cooked turkey on the kitchen floor when I had to turn my hand to cooking whilst you were ill with thyroid problems during one of our first Christmas's, and my spending nearly all one Christmas Day semi - conscious in the downstairs cloakroom after quaffing too much (spiked!) punch at a neighbour's Xmas morning drinks party. You particularly always took trouble to ensure that the children, Nigel and Rebecca, had as good a Christmas as possible, even when earnings were limited in our early years together, but I unfortunately spoiled their Santa Clause dream, or at least Rebecca's, when I tipsyly dropped her large bag of presents, and fell over it onto her bedroom floor. You were always your beautiful, elegant, considerate and resolute self, and all our Christmas's were full of love and family enjoyment. You will be pleased to know that this pattern continued this Christmas, as we all spent two very happy days with Nigel and Giselle as we had done last year when we were very fortunate to still have you with us. We raised a glass in your memory, dear Pat, as will now be a family tradition forever. Always in my thoughts, John

Dedicated to dear Pat on Remembrance Day 2016 The very evocative lyrics of 'Stardust', by Hoagy Carmichael, 1927: "And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the meadows of my heart High up in the sky the little stars climb Always reminding me that we're apart You wander down the lane and far away Leaving me a song that will not die Love is now the stardust Of yesterday The music Of the years Gone by Sometimes I wonder why I spend The lonely nights Dreaming of a song The melody haunts my reverie And I am once again with you When our love was new, and each kiss an inspiration But that was long ago, and now my consolation Is in the stardust of a song Beside the garden wall, when stars are bright You are in my arms The nightingale tells his fairy tale Of paradise where roses grow Though I dream in vain, in my heart you will remain My stardust melody The memory of loves refrain" With everlasting Love, John X

"How much do I love you, I'll tell you no lie. How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky? How many times a day do I think of you, how many roses are sprinkled with dew? How far would I travel, to be where you are, how far is the journey from here to a star? And if ever lost you, how much would I cry? How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky.........................? (Lyrics by Irving Berlin)