Every couple of years I seem to write the same, or similar.  I guess that's the point of remembering, reinforces what we're doing and why.  This year however is a bit different for a couple of reasons. Firstly this is Greg's landmark 40th year, a year most of us have been fortunate enough to celebrate in our own way, with friends and family.  The boy's from B'Muir had a special get together in combination with the annual Jeg's Golf Memorial (fittingly Bale won in Melv's 40th year.  He would have been furious) and we certainly took a moment or two to reflect on who was missing at such a significant milestone.  For me, particularly when I'm with the boys who were omnipresent around Greg, there's a genuine feeling that he's with us.  Judging.  Mocking (Bale). Laughing. I can see him in the circle, nothing's changed, Melv leading the group.  I'm certainly not an overly emotional or spiritual person which leads me to reflect on what an incredible person he must have been to have such a strong presence in my life 6 years on........

And two (I'm also not a succinct story teller), there's Rosie, and the year our endeavours took an even more meaningful significance.  Truthfully I'm not nearly as close to Rosie as I would like, having moved to Singapore before she was born.  That said I've been lucky enough to follow her life in pictures and posts and genuinely feel a closeness, which is clearly driven by the big man looking at me in every one of her pictures (in an adorable wee lass way, of course)...I haven't done the maths but intuitively I see around 9 regular posts for every 1 of Rosie somewhere she doesn't want to be, and with an issue she'd rather do without.  That all made sense when I learned about Prader-Willi, the reason for those hugely unwelcome 1 in 10's but the increased motivation for this year's awareness and fundraising effort, alongside the preservation (as if it needs preserving) of Greg's spiritual presence. Quite clearly what we've learned of Rosie's condition has been troubling, particularly the strain on Helen as the incredible individual who seemingly takes it all in her stride but like everyone needs support to continue living strong.  However it has, like all things generational, added more relevance to the younger members of the Preston clan.  Maisie's seen the pictures of Greg holding her with his tongue out when she was months old but it meant very little.  Finlay never met him (they would have been soul mates!).  Showing them a picture of Rosie not so many years younger than both of them, who I tell has an unfortunate condition, really means something to both of them.  It resonates, they get it.  That's why this year we're all getting involved, and we'll all be raising awareness, money, and educating our family, friends and classmates about Prader-Willi Syndrome and what it means to us as a family, with the additional backdrop of why all this came to be in the first place.  Greg.

So without my words overstaying their welcome, I would love for folks to either donate, and/or provide words of encouragement as myself, Fran, Finlay and Maisie participate in a number of events between now and the end of 2018 to raise awareness and proceeds towards increasing awareness around, and treatment for Prader-Willi Syndrome, while continuing to remember Greg.  2018: Greg & Rosie.

Many thank, and next stop Spartan 2018 before the marathon in December!!