Recently I lost two people who were very dear to me within a matter of weeks. Their deaths have reverberated with friends and family alike but one thing was made abundantly clear. How utterly loved and adored they both were.
Most people who know me and who knew Mark and Lauren, would say that we wear our hearts on our sleeves. I would, in a way, like to do that literally.
I have decided to have a memorial tattoo done, in order to keep them close to me for the rest of my days. I will be having a water colour heart done to remember Lauren, with a semi colon incorporated for Mark. The semi colon is also there to recognise everyone who struggles, with both mental and physical health, yet despite this is keeping going and continuing their stories and lives.
I will be getting the tattoo added to my right forearm on the 22nd of November - my 36th birthday. I have paid for the tattoo myself and will be splitting any monies raised between two charities. Firstly St Catherine's Hospice, who supported and cared for Lauren so fantastically in her final weeks and secondly, Rethink, a mental health charity working to support those with schizophrenia, Bi-polar disorder and more, to lead and recover a better quality of life.
I hope you will join me in supporting these two fantastic charities and remembering our fallen friends.