Never Let Them Go

Every second, every minute, every hour of every day people pass away, they die, all over the world people are dying and all over the world people are being born – new generations, new lives ready to be formed, ready to be lived, you should never let them go. Just like you and me.

That’s why it’s strange, we know people die, we know we can’t live for all eternity, so why does it come as such a shock to us when someone we know passes. A relative, close or distant, a friend, new or old, each and every person who has touched our lives in some way. It is more often than not an awful shock when we receive the news saying they’re no longer with us, that’s what hurts the most. Don’t you think?

Knowing you can no longer see them, spend time with them, speak to them. That’s what breaks your heart, day in day out.

I think I can speak for everyone reading this, that that is in actual fact correct, when someone close to us, close to our hearts passes, the pain is so indescribable you feel like you cannot carry on, and yet you have to? You can’t stop living your life because someones has ended, cruel as it may seem it is true. I speak from experience when I say that, as today marks the 4th anniversary since my Grandad passed and this year it will be 14  years since my Granny passed too.

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Me, Grandad, my brother and sister.

When trying to move on all you can think of, or try to, is that they are now in a better place, away from the world we continue to live in and onto a better, more peaceful one. You think of the memories you shared together, the highs the lows; but you don’t value one memory over the other, how could you? You picture their smile, hear their laugh, remember their stories, old and new, funny and not, even the ones you never thought you would remember.

The little things are what you hold on to, and although, although it kills you that they are not with you anymore, those are the things which remain. You cannot change the memories you had with a person  after they’re gone, what you can do though, is treasure them. Hold them in your heart and don’t forget, never forget – even if time passes and it becomes a month, six months, a year or even ten.

Never let them go.

Whether you have experienced what I am talking about or whether you haven’t, remember that each day is a blessing and you never know when someone who is such a big part of your life may no longer be there with you. Tell them you love them, hug them and never let them go. Now come on, go find the special person or people in your lives and let them know you love them, what are you waiting for?

Rest In Peace, you will always be in my heart, no matter what.

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Me and Grandad.

(All photographs featured in this blog post are my own).

46 Comments

  1. Sending all the love in the world Imogen. Your grandparents would be so proud of you. Never let those memories fade <3

    1. Thank you so much to both of you, this means a lot! <3

  2. Tbh, it is really something so obvious and inevitable but sometimes I think so much about life. About how I am going to die one day, either by an accident or whatever reasons there may be.
    I REALLY don’t want it to happen but it’s sad to say that we will all disappear one day. This was also one of the few reasons why I decided to just start blogging. It was something I’ve wanted to do but never had the guts to. Whenever I get too sucked into the thought, I tell myself to live in the moment instead and enjoy life.

    Sorry for the long message but I’ve also wanted to one day blog about my thoughts on death.

    1. You definitely need to live in the moment and live life to the fullest too, you shouldn’t have any regrets! Never apologise for a long message / comment, I love hearing what other people think! xx

  3. Beautiful post, I agree with the shock of it all. You can’t get your head around it, I remember when my grandad passed away thinking he is never going to do what I do with my life and I couldn’t believe it.
    I agree that you treasures all the memories, I do this thing where I write down all the little things about my family so I can always remember the little details and when I look at it, it always make me smile. Always hold on to that time we had. x

    1. Thank you so much. I know, you tend to look at someone and think that they’re invincible and will live forever, don’t you? That’s a beautiful thing to do! xx

      1. You’re welcome. Yes you definitely do. Thank you, its nice to look back on. xx

        1. <3

  4. This is such an amazing and moving read. I lost my Grandpa this year and it’s hard to accept but something you have too. X

    1. Thank you so much lovely, I’m so sorry to hear that. The memories keep them alive though, hold on to them! <3

  5. joannda says:

    Beautifully written 💕 So true. The beauty is that with those precious memories, no one is ever fully gone. Of course it’s not the same but after time passes you can feel a small bit of the warmth and joy they brought, within those memories.

    1. Thank you so much! Exactly, you can hold on to the memories forever and so you should, I definitely agree – it feels like they’re still with you. <3

  6. I’m reading this post the day after my Great Grandma’s funeral – she sadly left us last week. I love this post. I think it’s important to remember the happy memories you share with that special someone! I’m so thankful to have spent my whole life with an incredible woman and I can’t wait to tell my children all about her! Xxx

    1. I’m so sorry for your loss lovely, I hope yesterday went as well as it could and she had a good final goodbye. <3 It definitely is, it helps keep them alive in your heart! Hold on to those memories, they're so so special and your children will love to hear all about her too one day! Sending a hug your way! xx

  7. Absolutely beautiful and so well said. This was a very touching post. Thank you so much for sharing!

    1. Thank you so much, that means a lot! xx

  8. Beautiful post, so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing x

    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment x

  9. Hi Imogen, I admire your bravery and ability to write about death so eloquently. I agree with Layna above, blogging has been a way for me to feel like I am making a difference in my life before I someday pass away. Everyone wants to feel like they are making a impact that will be remembered. I am so happy you shared your thoughts with us and inspired me to share my own.

    1. Thank you so much Jen, this means the world! <3 That's so lovely to hear that I have inspired you, hopefully more people will be able to talk about topics like this! I'm sure there is no doubt that you will be remembered though! <3 xx

  10. In my belief, our grandparents and parents don’t leave unless we want them to. They live in our hearts and the hearts of all our cousins, brothers and sisters. Which is why, children are the legacy of small people. Your grandparents clearly live in your heart, which speaks volumes of your self 🙂
    You’re absolutely right that we should treasure the people we have around us because we won’t be able to express ourselves when they have passed on.
    Connie
    http://www.sassy.mom

    1. Thank you so much for your amazing comment, they are definitely living on in my heart and always will! <3

  11. Loss is the worst. The only saving Grace is they forever remain in our hearts. Beautiful Imogen.

    1. Thank you so much. You’re so right! x

  12. eviebraithwaite says:

    Oh this was such a beautiful post. It’s 5 years now since my Nan passed away and I remember how shocked I was when I first heard of her passing. But I couldn’t agree more, these people will forever live on in our hearts. It’s a reminder of how important it is to cherish every single day with the people we love, loved this post Imogen! ♥

    Evie x | https://eviejayne.co.uk

    1. You’re so right, thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m sure your Nan is very proud of you! <3 xx

  13. The last few years have seemed like an endless parade of loss in some ways, perhaps it’s just a facet of getting older and having aging family members but it definitely never gets easier when it happens. I live how heartfelt this post is and it’s a good reminder to live every day to the fullest. We all need to love more, live more and appreciate more in our day to day lives.

    1. I’m so sorry to hear that, I’m sure you have held on to those special memories of each and every loved one though! Thank you so much for your lovely words. x

  14. Well said. It’s so important to never forget those we have lost. I lost my grandfather just over 2 years ago. I think of him every time I go into my garden because his love of gardening is what made me love gardening.

    1. That’s beautiful! I’m sure he’s watching over you! <3 xx

  15. What a special post! Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been lucky in my life so far to never have experienced loss but I know it’ll definitely be coming around the corner at some point. Thank you for your honesty in letting us into your heart. Your grandad looks like he was a lovely man.

    Lots of love,
    Molly xo
    http://gracetoglowandgo.com

    1. You’re more than welcome, thank you for such a lovely comment! I obviously hope it never happens to you anytime soon but if it does just hold on to the memories and hug your loved ones a little tighter! He was amazing, so funny too (hence the pose)! <3 xx

  16. Batmom85 says:

    hugs! I love you friend and I pray God grants you peace and comfort. I lost both parents early. I think that’s why I am the way am I just want to love everyone and everyone to love me. It does get better and just to try to focus on those wonderful memories you have. That helps. Hugs again sweet friend. You’re in my thoughts.

    1. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. <3 I am so sorry to hear about your parents but I have no doubt that you are making them extremely proud with whatever you do, they'll be proud of how much you care for others too! This has made my day, thank you! You're in my thoughts too! <3 xx

  17. This is so spot on. I remember when my grandfather died, I was actually on my study abroad. When I heard the news from my family, I had to leave my room and walked around the streets of Paris trying to collect my thoughts. People drove cars, ate meals, laughed, the sun beat down on the pavement, and I thought, “HOW?” It was self-centered, but it really didn’t make sense to me that all these things could happen, like any other normal day, when my entire universe exploded. I still miss him, and my grandmother, who had died a few years prior, but those lasting memories I have of him are unforgettable.

    1. Those memories are the best thing to hold on to. I’m so sorry for your loss, I know how you feel, I found out when me and my family were driving to go on holiday for the week. It felt like we couldn’t enjoy the holiday as it would be rude and wrong but really, he wouldn’t have wanted us to stop enjoying ourselves and living. <3

  18. This is such a lovely post and I’m cherishing every moment that I have with my grandparents.

    1. Thank you so much, definitely do! <3

  19. So true as we are never guaranteed tomorrow… thank you. ❤️🙏

    1. Thank you for your lovely comment. Definitely make the most of the day! x

      1. Your welcome 😀

  20. A beautiful post, Imogen. I think this will resonate with everyone, I know it certainly does with me. x

    1. Thank you, that means a lot! x

  21. genxmom74 says:

    Beautiful post & tribute! They must have been amazing people!

    1. Thank you, they certainly were x

  22. […] My grumpy minion money box and an Austrian Cow accompany two homemade snowman courtesy of my sister, an ‘I’, two little RAF fluffy blob things and a wooden pig my parents got me in Austria. The photo in the background is one of my favourites of me and my Grandad, I wrote about him in a recent post here. […]

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