Losing Someone You Love

At some point in our lives, it’s something we all have to face. Whether it’s illness, a tragic accident or relationship ends – when someone important to you isn’t there anymore, it can feel almost impossible to bear and even harder to accept that they are gone.

We all go through it at some point – but how did it feel when you lost someone you cared for greatly?

This week, a close friend of mine died suddenly in his sleep. His name was Mark*, a handsome young artist, the original cheeky cockney boy, who was loved by everyone who met him.

For many years of my life, he and I were inseparable. He was the gay best friend every girl dreamed of. Hilarious, good-looking, charming and infectious to be around. He taught me about fake tan and high heels in a way that a big sister should have, how to flirt with men in cars and most importantly, how to appreciate art.

We’d dance in his kitchen to Sophie Ellis-Bextor songs, write love poems to each other then get them read out on radio stations, have endlessly silly nights out together and put the world to rights. Then last night, I got a call – he was gone. A heart attack after an illness he’d caught on holiday in India – just like that.

24 hours later, and I think already I’ve been through every emotion imaginable. Shock and disbelief at first, then the guilt at not being a better friend. Then anger for him leaving me to go to a better place. The truth is, I’m just so sad that he has gone.

No doubt I’ll feel all these emotions ten-times-over again, and eventually it’ll get easier. But how best to remember him? Doing what I know best – putting pen to paper right now, as Mark* would have expected me to. So, I’d like you to do the same.

At Famous Features, we deal with family tragedies, medical miracles and mishaps on a daily basis – and we do it well. Our clients often tell us that telling the story of their loved one, then seeing the story down in print is like a lasting memento of the person they have lost – ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’, and with so many worthy causes to donate to, you can raise money for a good cause too.

Through my work as a journalist, I’ve realised that feeling helpless after someone’s death doesn’t mean you have to sit and do nothing. You can remember your loved one in your own way. I’d love for you to write in, and tell us what that special person in your life meant to you, and I can’t wait to help you share your memories and photographs with everyone else that loved them too.

If this is something that you would like us to help you with, you can try putting those words down now via our online form at www.FamousFeatures.co.uk – I look forward to hearing from you.

Sally (sally@famousfeatures.co.uk)

*This name has been changed for privacy reasons.