Below is a copy of a message David Cameron is sending to party activists, members, and staff this evening.
Sam and I have been overwhelmed by all the letters, cards, emails and flowers we have received about Ivan. Sending an e-mail this week just gives us both a chance to say a big "thank you". It means a lot to know that others are thinking of us and him.
We always knew Ivan wouldn't live forever, but we didn't expect to lose him so young and so suddenly. He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it. Bed time, bath time, meal time - nothing will feel the same again.
We console ourselves knowing that he won't suffer anymore, that his end was quick, and that he is in a better place. But we all just miss him so desperately.
When we were first told the extent of Ivan's disability I thought that we would suffer having to care for him but at least he would benefit from our care. Now as I look back I see that it was all the other way round. It was only him that ever really suffered and it was us - Sam, me, Nancy and Elwen - who gained more than I ever believed possible from having and loving such a wonderfully special and beautiful boy.
Choked!
ReplyDeleteThe meaure of our next Prime Minister will not be found wanting.
ReplyDeleteIn the heart of the man is the truth, and in that truth is the hope of the future.
ReplyDeleteLord, bless this precious family and draw near to them at this time of unbearable grief.
Heart-breaking stuff.
ReplyDeleteHe's a brilliant man and he'll be a brilliant prime minister.
David Cameron is clearly a tower of strength and capable of deep and sincere commitment to his family.
ReplyDeleteWhat he needs to do now is to translate that into a deep and sincere commitment to the nation.
We are heading for an era when the Prime Minister will have the mandate to do whatever he wants to do.
Cameron must use that to change the direction of this country.
He must change the nasty, revengeful liberal left consensus.
He must reclaim Britain for the British.
Yes, I received this, but did not feel it is right to put it on my blog. This man is grieving and to publically reveal his grief via blog is wrong in my opinion. I'm old fashioned. Let this man grieve in private....
ReplyDeletewww.plenty2say.com
This is a note from a winner.
ReplyDeleteVery moving. Ivan's gift was that he made his Dad a better man.
ReplyDelete"Grief is the price we pay for love."
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth II
I wish them some peace in this awful time
ReplyDeleteWho are the British then Wrinkled?
ReplyDeleteBritain will need rebuilding thats for sure - but for who? You seem to be a bit selective.
People born in Britain and/or willing to undergo (Frank Field's) citizenship ceremony - are entitled to be British. Anyone we want to invite into our country to be British can be British.
The point at issue is just who and how many.
By the time the Conservatives (I hope) gain power Britain will be well and truly broken and in need of radical rebuilding. Its comforting to know we will have a pretty close to human being in charge.
But Mr Winkled I do not expect the conservatives or it leader to be perfect - that goes with the territory of being 'human'.
There was a photograph of the couple looking at memorial flowers on the front page of some newspapers last week. It totally captured their greif and poise - it made me cry.
ReplyDeleteAfter caring like that for his son, and after the dignity he has shown, I don't think we'll be hearing any more about his time in the Bullingdon Club
ReplyDeleteI was one of I hope many who sent a letter to him.
ReplyDeleteI'm filling up again. Really.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd, but... I have been a journalist for nearly 30 years. And it does make you harden a bit.
What cracked me up was the obvious love between them all.
What a wonderful family,suffering a pain that will never leave them. May God bless them and keep them..
ReplyDeleteJust watching you on News 24 (or whatever it's called at the moment) - you struck absolutely the right note on this. Well done.
ReplyDeleteMr. Cameron has always impressed me and continues to do so. Quite the perfect tone.
ReplyDeletethe text of your post suggests that cameron is 'going to' release this statement...from the time you have posted this.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that he/his team are advance briefing hacks/bloggers about a touching family message?
Andy, David Cameron sends an email message to party members and activists every Saturday evening. I know because I get them. Just as I got this one. Just as tens of thousands of others did.
ReplyDeleteNice of you to try to score a point over a family tragedy. But I have grown used to sick comments from you in recent weeks.
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ReplyDeleteGood man.
ReplyDeleteClams: no, I reckon it's perfectly justifiable taking the piss out of the Bullers - there's gotta be some great stories there but their code of omerta makes a err.. clam seem open.
I'd have loved to have trashed a few boozers and just lob cash at the landlord - 'we want the finest wines available to humanity'
'Scrubbers, scrubbers!'
Dick, I quite agree there. Taking the piss out of the Bollinger Club, as Waugh called it, remains essential (shows off extensive literary knowledge - has read one book).
ReplyDeleteI meant that the Labour side were planning to show that Cameron's past raised questions about his character.
That's going to be harder for them now and not because Cameron has lost his son (I choked up when I heard and I don't choke up easily) but because more people now realise how devoted he was to him. Oh I expect they'll try. 'We acknowledge that he is a fine and decent family man but that does not necessarily... etc.'
"We're eccentric millionaires"
ReplyDelete"Yes, that's right. We're eccentric millionaires and we shall buy this place and your services shall no longer be required."
Dick,
ReplyDeleteHoward Hughes did just that of course.
The idea that it's old-fashioned not to display your grief in public is just plain wrong. the Victorians knew all about public displays of grief - and most of them experienced the loss of a child. It's only our generation that wants to hide death away. Privatising death and grief says more about our own self-delusions about mortality and has nothing to do with being 'old-fashioned'. Cameron's email is very moving and dignified in the face of his tragic loss. It is right and proper that this is shared with the public.
ReplyDeleteToo sad for words, may God comfort them in their grief. Don't understand those who have criticised the grieving though.
ReplyDelete