Dear Kim, how lovely to read this and to know how sorely you miss your sister in law, yet how much comfort you gain from remembering her in this way. I am sure you are a huge support to your brother and the rest of the family, and I love the idea of lighting a candle every day. A beautiful sentiment. Thank you for sharing this with me and for your kind words, love Ali xx

Gosh Jenny, how wonderful that you were able to keep your mum with you all that time, and although she may not have connected mentally with you at that time I am sure she knew you were loving her and looking after her. I think of my mum too, and that way we keep them always with us. Love to you and your family too – and your sister Jenny (same name as my sister). Ali xx

Aileen I clearly am like you and it’s the robins I have most connection with. There’s been a robin we call Reg after Colin’s dad who sits with him when he’s gardening. But my children bought me a rose the day after mum died and as I was planting it a brand new bright red robin came and sat on the pot with mum’s original rose in it. It made me smile… Thank you for writing to me, love Ali xx

Dear Carol, you’re right, the funeral was a daunting thought, although the crematorium was absolutely beautiful and the vicar Hazel incredibly kind. I’m holding onto those good memories although sometimes the enormity of it all hits me like a wall… I hope life is well with you and your family, love Ali xx

Dear Heather, How lovely to hear from you, and I remember well the terrible shock when your mum died. Such a terrible time for your and your siblings. I do hope life is happy for you now and that everything has worked out well. Love Ali xx

Dear Judith, so glad to know that your holiday was a sunny success and that you got to visit Kyrenia. I bet the storm was dramatic, but I’m sure the sunshine that followed was spectacular. Colin and I visited there three years ago and it was the hottest resort we have ever stayed in. Stunning landscapes and sea though. Such a shock to the system to return to the freezing cold temperatures here! I hope that your granddaughter is now completely better and back at school. Poor Honey will be off for the next few weeks as she has just come out with chicken pox! I’m heading there on Wednesday to care for her. I’ll see you on Tuesday though, and thank you for writing to me twice even though the first comment was lost, love Ali xx

Dear Tina, I never think of your comments as wittering and your words are a huge comfort and echo my own sentiments. I will always be Jim and Kathy’s daughter, and I know that for your years after my dad died at 54 years old, I desperately wanted to talk to folk who might have a memory of him that they could share with me, or maybe a story about me that he’d told them… I see him now, particularly in my son Jack’s face, although his kindness and sense of humour are in all my children. Your story of your mum and dad’s romance is just beautiful. How wonderful he was spared and so your family tree could grow. Love to you and your family from Ali xx

Hi Penny, that is such a lovely thing to say, and my sentiment exactly regarding QVC as a family. It’s how I feel and it’s really good to know it’s somewhere I belong. I hope that your Christmas shopping is coming along well and that you’ll be able to join me tomorrow afternoon and evening. Love Ali xx

Dear Christine, thank you, love Ali xx

Dear Viv, knowing all that you’ve been through I am really touched by your words. But you’re right, no-one can take those memories, and they are something special to keep forever. Lots of love to you and your family too. Ali xx