I miss my daddy so much at this time of the year. I have a little Christmas tag which he had attached to a gift for me the last Christmas we were together. It has his writing on and his love (in the form of xoxoxo kisses and cuddles). It’s on my pin board in my office – next to this photo of us with our border collie Rufus.

I miss my daddy’s cuddles but if I close my eyes I can still almost feel myself wrapped up in one of them. 25 years later. One of my favourite photos of my daddy and my sister is of him having picked her up and giving her a huge cuddle.

People will tell you that time makes losing a loved one easier. That’s not the case for me. I still feel it with a crushing force that takes the breath from me.

Hold onto your loved ones. Don’t let silly issues that may have happened in your past sneak back to rear their ugly heads at Christmas. Be grateful you have people who love you in your life. Tell them that you love them.

Be gracious and giving with your kindness and affection – because you just never know when tomorrow won’t come. We didn’t know his tomorrow wasn’t coming the day we lost our daddy. But the best thing is that the last thing we said to each other is I love you.

Every time I hear the words I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams, I imagine my guardian angel in heaven singing those words. With Rufus by his side.

I miss you daddy. And I love you. You would adore our Bubba.