Raising funds for Cancer Research UK was extremely important to Mark. When he was at his lowest ebb it gave meaning to his life to know that he was giving hope to people in the future. It is still vitally important to us to continue to keep the money coming in and we are so grateful to all of you  for doing your own fundraising and adding to the pot, and also for every single donation you give.

As many of you will know, I am currently editing Mark’s book and also writing a collection of poems based on my experience of bearing witness to Mark’s journey through cancer. I am making progress  and both of these titles will help to raise both funds and awareness.

In the meantime I am selling copies of my 2015 collection of poems, A number of things you should know in aid of Cancer Research UK. The book normally retails at £7.95 from the publisher and from Amazon books, however if you would like a copy directly from me please make a donation  for this amount or more on  Mark’s Just Giving Page and then Facebook message/text or e-mail me susan@poetryspace.co.uk with your details so I can put a copy in the post to you. As the title suggests I cover a variety of themes in this book, some personal, some fictional, some just on random subjects and I’m pleased that I’m getting people into poetry who have not read it since school.

Here’s an example of a personal one:

Dear Dad,

Our day’s been good,

you got to see your grandson and his girl. We all shared lunch and  talked and laughed.

Then I took you to the park

and pointed out ducks diving,

ducks emerging, shaking feathers, drying in the sun.

You loved it all and it was good to see you smile.

When I said I was going

you thought I was leaving you.

You get the idea sometimes

that I’m your wife. I do the things a wife does, empty your bag, wipe your bum.

Your logic’s good. I’m your daughter, I say. I’ve got a husband and you cry. I leave you with music to soothe your heart

knowing the carer is coming soon, to take you to your bed.

Susan Jane Sims

Dad died on October 24th, 2015, aged 94. He did incredibly well but in the last couple of years became quite frail physically and mentally due to age and to Alzheimer’s, another cruel disease.

On another subject, thanks for all the lovely messages I have had today from people knowing that today might be hard as it is Mother’s Day. This is much appreciated. I did hear from Mark’s three brothers, a lovely bunch of tulips arrived from Matt, and also an extra Mother’s Day card from Rob and Rachel in New York. That was so sweet of you guys. Perhaps we could invent an Auntie’s Day.

With best wishes, Sue (Mark’s mum)