The majority of the most memorably happy times in my life have been spent either with or around my dad and some of which have been such minor incidents that others would not even consider. Fortuneately however, I have always been acutely aware of how lucky I am to have been born to such an honourable, dependable and couragous man. Just the sight of dad turning up somewhere unexpected would fill me with joy...the kind which makes your heart double in size with adoration. So many times in the past I have been sat in the Eckington Snooker Centre bored to tears only to be awoken with delight at seeing dad walking through the swinging doors and strolling towards me. His greeting would always be the same "Eh up duck" with a kiss on the cheek which was quickly followed by "Do you want a drink". This feeling of love for dad was closely matched by catching the first glimpse of him working behind the counter in 'The Shop' as I turned the corner in the precinct. Again, as soon as he saw me his greeting would be filled with the same cheer and happiness regardless of the situation or surroundings...a smile and kiss on the cheek followed by a lengthy moan about the usual topics. Same old same old but always a pleasure! The list of things I miss about dad is endless but mostly its the little things that I wish I could bring back...just to be 12 again and to hear him shout up the stairs at the top of his voice "Lyndsey!" when tea was ready would be worth everything I own. Or to call in on him unannounced and sit watching telly with him whilst drinking tea. Even through his illness dad was always a pleasure to be with and although I feel ashamed to say it, the last few weeks of his life were some of the happiest of mine.