‘Who is your favourite child?’, the Cup George asks? I reply a very diplomatic answer citing each Cups positives! I was feeling very pleased with my answer. ‘Who is your favourite parent?’, I ask the Cup (George), without hesitation he replies, ‘daddy, no offence’.

How did I feel about this reply?

Perfectly and utterly happy, even over two years later his daddy is still ‘number one’ and that’s how it should be for a wee man and daddy relationship! 

How is this possible after two and a half years since Dishwasher dads death?

The simple reality is Gary is very much alive in our family – with the illness of cancer we did have time to prepare the Cups – we were honest in our discussions with them about cancer and death – Gary had his last conversations with each Cup – we had our last family conversation and selfie (only for Dishwashing family eyes) and resides in each memory box now!

The night Gary died we all spent the night together in our room – as we lay in the room with Gary with us I asked the Cups to share memories of daddy !! 

What occurred was an amazing cathartic experience then and for future moments – in their memories they reminded me of daddy before cancer… in the days ahead as their friends came to visit we had ‘Gary time’, in those moments the Cups and their friends chatted openly, easily and lovingly about Dishwasher dad 💕

Where that inspiration came from that night I don’t know – but I’m forever thankful as it gave an avenue for heartfelt dialogue – so much so that my son still thinks his dad is best!

That fills my heart with resounding love ♥️