No Regrets

Sixteen years ago today I saw my dad for the last time. Although we knew he was suffering from an incurable disease and wouldn't "make old bones" - as a consultant told him somewhat clumsily upon his diagnosis - we still thought we had several more years together.

On that fireworks night back in 2009 whilst eating a fish and chip supper together, dad suddenly became very serious. Quite poignantly he shared some of his innermost thoughts and, looking back now, I wonder if he somehow knew this would be the last time we'd ever see one another - in this world at least.

"Have no regrets, Suz," he urged me, using the affectionate shortened version of my full name Suzanne as he always did. "Be happy and try to live a life without regrets," he almost pleaded.

Afterwards I did regret hastily cutting the conversation short and leading us onto brighter topics that night, because only three days later dad suddenly died. But I did take his words to heart when embarking upon my book writing journey three years ago - at his prompting from beyond the grave.

And I'm keeping these words close to my heart as I continue to chase my dream of becoming a published author. It's something I've dreamt about since I was nine years old, and it's also something my dad knew I would definitely regret not trying, much more than the fear of failing.

So here's to you dad. Let's finally do this.

Let's go and catch that dream together.

Top: Sue’s dad, Roy, looking as proud as punch on her graduation day in 1993.
Above: Sue and her dad on her wedding day in 2000.