I remember the day I met Berni. I’d gone to their home to ‘interview’ Michelle for a volunteering role. At that point Shell was still using a wheelchair. When I left, I was exhausted; it was I who had been interviewed (you can read that as ‘interrogated’) by Berni!! He wanted to make sure that she would be looked after and not expected to ‘too much’. Since that first meeting I have had the pleasure of having Berni and Shell as firm friends. Several years later, and after Shell’s health improved, I had a ‘secret’ phone call from Berni. He said, “Shell’s got it in her head to do the Race for Life…I don’t want her to do it on her own, will you run with her”. And so Shell and I did the run together (but that’s another story!). Berni was so proud of her achievement. You see, Berni was always looking out for Shell, a very protective and loving man through and through. Today is a very poignant day. Time to reflect and remember with love and happiness the big man with the even bigger heart; and of course, his contagious giggle that was irresistible. This morning I was looking at Facebook and a ‘memory’ came up on my feed. It was a little video I made of the portrait painting of Berni’s dog Charlie – coincidence?? Well Berni, you are now free of pain, you can walk, run, and Charlie and the other pets that have been waiting for you will be wagging their tails with delight. You can now rest in peace and with the assurance that Shell has family and friends who will look out for her for you. Love from little Ratbag (not sure how or why I got that nickname from you, but I accept it with honour). xxx