HORN, Ailsa

Letter to Mum

It's been three years now since you left us, Nothing changes, Mum. I still miss you every day. The passage of time doesn't help when it's your family. I feel some sadness when my thoughts inevitably turn to you and Dad.

With the benefit of hindsight, there are times I could have been more sympathetic and understanding because you had to deal with so much, and without ever complaining. I doubt I will ever be able to do that. You were always humble and unassuming. The best I can say is we all tried to help out when we could because of our love and respect for you. You always supported us in whatever we chose to do, and believed we were making the best decision at the time (even though we may have taken the wrong fork in the road sometimes).

I miss our daily phone calls when we would just check in to make sure everything was OK, and we'd probably discuss what was going on in the cricket or tennis. You would have had a kick out of me taking up cricket again as a veteran and having some success. I miss the little things you used to do, like birthday cards and buying me items you thought would be useful. You were always thoughtful like that.

When I was working, most of my time in far away areas of Australia, I always wanted to return home to catch up with you and Dad on my time off. As a child and in my working life we spent so much time apart, this was my natural inclination and something I looked forward to. (Wes)

We love and miss you, Mum. Never forgotten.

Mark, Shelley, Wes and families.