Chris Norfolk

Thank you

Grace I dont know what to say except that i hope on hope that your husband bounces back from this and that you and your girls are ok. My thoughts are with you

Wendy, you are so right. My view is that yes, we all know that smoking can cause this disease and yes, we all know that we need to give up - blah, blah, blah. But I think that it's a disgrace that people think "serves them right" when it comes tothis disease. Is that why there is bugger all research money going into it even though it is the biggest cancer killer??? What next - because I eat alot of red meat, does that mean that if I get colon cancer that I deserved it! We all do things that are bad for us, but dont we all deserve the right to get treatment for it and research into how to best cure this disease? How dare these people feel that they have the right to judge - I'm very sure that if someone they loved had this disease, they wouldnt be casting their downward looks at them anymore - although under no circumstances would I want anyone to have to live with the horrid disease. Keep strong Wendy and if you want to, then sock one on them - it may make you feel better

Hi Sonia These are such hard and horrible times that you are going thru and I wish there were something I could say or do that will help lighten the load. I found that making the most of the times I had left with Dad were as good as they could be and tried not to focus on what was actually happenning - easier said than done I know My thoughts and prayers are with you

Hi Ann These guys are great for a very welcome boost when times are hard. I am so sorry to hear about Mums news and my thoughts are with you and your family.

That is unbeleivable. There are times when a straight answer is what is needed, but there are ways of delivering the message. I am so sorry that you are going thru all of this and I hope that you can pick yourself up and keep the fight going. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

This may (or may not) help next time you play Trivial Pusuit.... Where does the phrase "daylight robbery" come from?

If a 7-Eleven is open 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.............. Why do they have locks on the doors????

Merry Xmas to you and well summed up!

Hi I am in the UK and was looking for someone who might be interested in just keeping touch via e-mails for support - either giving or recieving. Please drop me a line if you are interested. Thanks Chris

Hi I recieved a call from my Mum yesterday (Thurs 21st Dec) to say that Dad's ashes are going to be inturned (I'm not sure if that is the right phrase) on Saturday the 23rd @ 11am (GMT+10.30hrs). I have kinda put most of it all out of my mind over the last 2 months or so and this came as quite a surprise. It's only in the last couple of days that I have visited this site, I guess if I don't, it isn't real. I have recieved letters from Dad's solicitors in regards to some money he left, found some photos, collected the condolence cards and put them all into a box and keep it on top of the wardrobe. I don't look in it - I just add to it. I still really haven't spoken to my wife about how I am feeling, I dont really know the answer to that myself to be honest. I have asked mum to put 3 roses on dad's plot - one from me, one from my wife Lucy and one from my daughter Rosie. How will Christmas day be - I don't know. I feel alot of emotion very close to the surface at the moment - I guess time will tell. I have set a reminder on my alarm to wake me up at the equivilant time in the UK, so that even though I wont be there in body, my thoughts will be. Thanks for listening (again) Chris

Sarah My thoughts and prayers are with you. You sound like a fabulous daughter and I am sure that the care and love you are giving to your mom right now are the most important things to her. Be strong and vent as much as you need. Chris

Hi Sarah You are so right about the guys on here - they are such a fantastic support. I have never really contributed alot to the forum in regards to writing etc, but their support is so unconditional. Chris

Hi If it helps, even though he didnt always like what he heard, my Dad wanted to know it all - he wanted to at least be in control of that. My thoughts are with you Chris

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to pop on here and wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and New Year. I know that that is probably easier said than done. I am lighting a candle for Dad on Christmas Day to show that he is with us and I will say a prayer for you all and keep you all in my thoughts over this time. You are all great people and have been a huge support for me over the last 6 months or so and if I can in any way be of any help or support for you, please lean on me - I'm big enough and ugly enough to handle it Bless you all, Merry Chrsitmas Chris

How do you put into words what you need to hear? I am so overwhelmed by your story, your husband was only 2 years older than me and I too have young children. One thing that has helped me get thru the loss of my father recently is knowing that whenever I look at my daughter Rosie, there he is. He is there when I look in the mirror and he will be there when my next child is born is a few months. It isn't the same, but he will always be there. I hope for peace and happiness for you all

It may be so little right now, but I am just so sorry to hear this. Your Mum sounds like a fantastic human being. The story about a bit of love in your pocket has brought me to tears. My thoughts are with you

I am so sorry to hear your news. Just be there. You dont have to say anything or do anything, just be there and give her and your BIL your love and support. My thoughts are with you Chris

Absolutley fantastic - go and get 'em Mum!!

Wishing your Mum all the best and stength to push on and fight. I am thinking of you. Chris

I am so sorry to read this news. My Dad passed away just over 6 weeks ago and I understand the loss and not knowing how to move on. You will and so will your Dad, your mother will never leave you or your dad's hearts, but I guess the way to go on is to think that that would be what they would've wanted. My Dad would be very upset if we didn't. It doesnt make it any easier sometimes, but for me it does help. I wish you all well. Chris

That's really beautiful Don - so beautiful. Do they ever actually leave us - really??

Hi everybody I firstly wanted to say a very big thank you to those of you who showed me such fantastic support and beautiful kind words when my father (Guy Norfolk)passed away last month - you guys are true stars to me - thanks. I thought I would just take the opportunity to share what's happenned over the last month or so. Dad passed away on the 8th of October in Australia. I tried to get back in time, but sadly didnt. I spent a week or so there and then came back to the UK and within 2 weeks, I was back at work - all normal!! I had recieved a lovely letter while I was away from the Managing Director of my company offerring sympathy and whatever support I needed - which was a welcome surprise. My team in the office were fantastic as were people from all areas of the business. As hard as it was, it looked as though there was the possibilty of getting on with things. Well.................exactly 1 week after I return from my leave to go to Australia, I was informed that my role was going to be made redundant! Where was this support that was offered??? I couldnt believe it - how much worse could October 2006 be? And it was only 7 or so weeks to Christmas and we have a baby due in April - was someone having a laugh at my expense? Well, I went and saw my doctor and he signed me off work for 2 weeks for stress. To be honest, I was more angry than anything else and I decided to use those 2 weeks as an opportunity to find a new job as I knew that with Xmas on it's way, recruitment opportunities were going to be thin on the ground. Today is Tuesday the 14th of October and I have just been offered a role with a company that is just under 2 miles from my house, more money and far better opportunities for the future and they can wait for to start in the new year! This now means that the redundancy package can go into the bank for myself and my family to treat ourselves and I will get to spend most of Decemeber with my family at home! Kind of makes you wonder if there is someone up there looking out for you, doesn't it! Chris

My dad – Guy Kenneth Norfolk, sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on October the 8th at home. It’s been 3 weeks and it doesn’t feel real to be writing that. I have tried a few times to put this on a post and each time couldn’t. It feels as thought I am writing it about someone I never knew sometimes, but it was about someone I knew – my dad. On the morning of Sunday the 8th of October I was with my wife Lucy and my daughter Rosie at my in-laws house as we were having a family birthday party for Rosie’s 2nd birthday (her actual birthday is the 11th, but as it was at the weekend, it was the best time to get all of my wife’s family together). I had arranged with my younger brother to get a text from him when the doctor was at dads so that I could speak to him and see how dad was and whether I needed to come over to Australia. I got the text at about 5am saying “Call me at Dad’s – URGENT”. I clearly remember going numb when I read that and walked downstairs to the phone like a bit of a zombie. I called and my brother put me onto my Mum (my Mum and Dad divorced about 10 or 11 years ago and Dad remarried 8 years ago, but since Dad’s illness, they put all of the old stuff behind them and spent time talking about old times and the like). Mum told me that Dad had a rattle in his throat (death rattle) and that I needed to think about getting a flight sorted out. The doctor was going to there shortly and they would call when he got there for me to speak to him directly. I went upstairs to my wife and broke down and told her that I need to go. As we were sitting there, I got another text saying that the doctor was there and to call. I spoke to him and he said that yes, I needed to get on a plane as in his experience, when someone is at this stage; they only have between 7 and 14 days at most. Again I broke down, but then said that I needed to get in the car and drive home (1 hour each way) and pack a case. While I was on the road, Lucy called and said that she had contacted her friend at British Airways and that there we a few options – I decided that the late evening flight would be the best one as it would mean that I could be there for Rosie’s party. When I got back, the ticket was all done and I tried to get on with the day – everyone was saying how sorry they were and how strong I was being. Was I? I didn’t think so, I was absolutely numb and working on auto pilot. We had a late lunch – around 3pm. I got up after my dinner was done as Rosie was creating a bit of a fuss over hers and I went over to her to sort her out. As I did, the phone rang and I heard my father in law answer the phone and say “Hi Sandra” (my mum’s name. I remember exhaling and saying something like God…..my father in law passed the phone to Lucy. Mum thought that I was on the plane, Lucy then ushered me into the living room and passed me the phone. I was saying “what’s the matter, what’s going on”, she just said for me to talk to Mum. Mum was very upset and just said simply “I’m so sorry love, your Dad’s gone”. What? That can’t be right – the Dr said that it was at least 7 days. Dad can’t be gone. The rest of that is all a bit of a daze. I headed to the airport, said goodbye to Lucy and Rosie and waited for my flight. How was I going to spend 24+ hours on a plane and not fall to bits? I ended up going to the bar and bought a pint and raised a toast to my dad and actually seemed to feel fairly calm. The flight was fine and my brother picked me up in Adelaide. He had arranged with the funeral directors for me to be able to go straight there and see dad. I told him we needed to arrange it for later as I couldn’t do it straight away – I wasn’t ready. I did go and see him later that morning. I have never felt sadness and loss like that feeling before in my life and never want to again. He was there in the coffin – even now recalling it, was it him? My dad isn’t dead!!! He looked so smart and colour coordinated for the 1st time too! I’m not ashamed to say that I fell completely to pieces. I couldn’t leave the room, that would mean that I wouldn’t see him again. When I did leave, my brother came straight to me and gave me a hug – we have never done that before. Dad’s funeral was on the Thursday. It was a nice ceremony (I can’t believe I said that – it was bloody horrible, but I guess you know what I mean). I gave a speech, which was so hard to do, but I wanted to (I may out it on here one day). My brother’s and one of Dad’s brothers carried the coffin to the hearse. Then he was driven off – that was hard. One of my uncles, Dad’s older brother said “he’d be happy that his last drive was in a Ford” – that would have made him smile! And that was that! It was strange talking to people that were Dad’s friends, who I had never met and them all telling me stuff about him. Apparently he would never take a call or leave the house if he knew that I was going to be calling. He used to go on and on to anyone who would listen about how well I was getting on in the UK and how proud he was. I never knew any of this – it was very comforting to hear. I also heard that when he found out that Lucy and I were expecting another baby after having a miscarriage in July (fell pregnant again pretty much straight after) that when he got off of the phone to me that he punched the air and cheered. He said “I bet it’s a boy this time – I bet it’s a boy”. A week or so later I was back home with Lucy and Rosie. Strangely, Lucy said that on the drive to the airport on that Sunday, a car pulled out in front of us and had the number plate GUY and that night, the cat would not get out from under Rosie’s cot – she never goes there. I spent 5 or 6 days with them which were fab and then went back to work. That’s where I am now. It’s all back to normal. Ha – how do things go back to normal? I am worried that I haven’t really let out over this, it’s all been pretty much under wraps and fear that one day it will all come crashing in on me. I hope not. I am trying to talk to Lucy about things and be a positive as I can about things, but it is difficult. Dad fought for 16 months against this disease after only being given 3 months. He didn’t complain, he just fought it with all he had. It must have been hell for him. Dad, I am so sorry that I promised that we would see each other again and I didn’t get back in time (I know Michael told you that I was on my way – is that why you let go, because you knew I was on my way and that everyone would be together?). I am glad that the pain and what you had to go through is now gone and I hope that you are at peace. You never, ever be forgotten Dad, every time I look at Rosie and the new baby who will have your name, I will see you and you will be with me. I miss you terribly and love you so much. Your ever loving son, Christopher. Guy Kenneth Norfolk 11th January 1945 – 8th October 2006 Aged 61 years.

Jodi, I am deeply sad to hear your news about your dad. My thoughts are with you and I hope that your dad passed peacefully and that you and your family can find the strength you need over the coming months. Chris