....everything and everywhere seems quieter and even silent, and there is a total sense of incompleteness in every aspect of life.
All your messages have been massively comforting and helpful.
Maybe you can help some more. Since we were given the news just over three weeks ago that Ella's cancer was incurable, I have been worried that whilst I can clearly remember her arriving into the world on 18 July 1992 and very clear memories of the past eighteen months of fighting this battle with Cancer - I might not be able to remember any of the bits in between.
I know by looking at photos I can, and I will remember more, but if you can help by sharing any particularly favourite memories or times you had with Ella that would be great.
If doing this via the comment route below does not work for you, feel free to e mail at jo.jet@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you
One of the most important memories to me is that afternoon in the summer holidays when my parents brought me round to your old house in clifton wood to meet Ella and Annie before starting secondary school. This one afternoon lead to so many more memories being created together. I hope to share more of them with you Jo. xxxx
ReplyDeleteJo - we have so mnay lovely photos of Ella when she was small which I will copy and send on. One memory that always makes us smils, and did so last night, was our wedding when Ella seemed to have a little crush on Simon - she was only two!!! In the middle of the ceremony she started saying his name out loud in the way she did and it made evryone giggle. She then refused to come inside at the wedding reception and stomped around in her little blue denim dress in the garden in the rain!! I also remember you getting into the taxi home refusing to give up your glass of wine!!You will have so many lovely memories Jo - you heart will be full of them xxxx
ReplyDeleteI remember her playing 'Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend' over and over again for a couple of weeks at lunch times in secondary school. She would dance around, swinging her arms about singing it to everyone. x
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favourite moments:
ReplyDeleteWhen she was a baby and we were on holiday in Northern Spain she and I playing in rock pools while you and Bob went swimming and how much she loved it.
Ella you, Sophie and I walking around Paris and how so many guys stopped to look at her as she walked past
Being privelaged to be part of your family, walking home from school, singing in squirrel walk, chasing each other round the kitchen, teasing Sophie, carrying her on my back, picking her up from the clutches of Miss Hobbs, her beautiful beautiful smile, her telling me she was 'gifted and talented' (we all knew this), her holding my hand on the walk home from school, watching her draw, listening to her sing, there are so so many - and don't be afraid you will remember you will be filled up with them and they will always be there - give yourself some space they are all there waiting for you to find them so much love Suzy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteOne of my best memories of Ella she was laying on the grass at Ashton secondary with Maisy, Amy, Annie, Jessica and myself on a sunny and warm summers day listening to the Gorillaz. So chilled and calm.
ReplyDeleteAll of the lunches I remember were filled with Ella laughing! So happy to remember so many of them xxx
Many happy memories of them all laughing and talking together as they walked to Ashton Park School in the mornings , uniform adapted to look individual ! Then particularly, summer 2010 , A levels just finished , Ella and Amy set off to a rock festival in Belgium. Roll mats and tent poles perched on top of backpacks , it was hot , they wore shorts , they loved it all - the music , the beer , the new friends they made. On the return journey whilst having coffee in a square in Brussels they chanced upon the the Tour De France . We had to be brave and let them go , they had the most amazing time.
ReplyDeletemuch love , jane xx
Working and thinking of Ella so another two memories.... her pronunciation of "au pair" as "ooo pair". How we laughed and how she laughed with us.
ReplyDelete... her treat when I was on a visit from Vancouver...playing the violin with her beautiful face so serious. So glad she gave it up though:-)
I went to the same school bus stop as Ella for about 4 years,I knew who she was because I went to primary school with two of her best friends. It turned out I was to meet her about 2 years later anyway.. But I remember walking to the bus stop with my friend, and always noticing her. A few times I remember nudging my friend, and saying 'It's the beautiful girl!'. Because she really, truly was. Always looking so serene I thought.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, my little brother is at woodlands. He passed away last year at the age of 12. I'd just like to say that it is such a special and peaceful place. Especially in the spring and the summer, my family and I (and the dog) sit with him on the grass and talk about things, sometimes we don't talk at all. But I always walk away knowing he's being looked after. I'm thinking of Ella, and of you all. xxx
The leavers ball in Ashton Court mansion. We'd all spruced up, Ella was wearing a very simple but classy blue dress. I remember thinking cor, she always has style, I on the other hand, looked like a bloody over-complicated colourful fruitcake! But despite her very elegant ways, she new how to have fun, and was very happy to laugh at herself. During the 3 course meal, the whole table, including Amy, had a bit of a stuffing profiteroles into mouth competition. It got gooey! It was hilarious. We then danced away, and larked about for hours and talked of how we were looking forward to go to Art school. (Which I didn't end up doing in the end) But wow, Ella had ambition. And a very infectious smile. Lisa xx
ReplyDeleteSo many memories of Ella, I don't think I have the space to write them all down. I believe I met Ella through Jack, but it was so long a go now that I'm not sure I can actually remember.
ReplyDeleteMy most prominent memories of Ella must be the rather... eventful night in Flavours and the group trip to Devon, both of which Ella came out worse for wear due to my own stupidity (fizzy strawberries and skimming stones).
Lunch times in Ashton were always so much fun. The banter from us four guys (and occasionally the teacher) in physics lessons, she would happily laugh at herself but never had any issues dishing it out either.
The prom and Christmas/May balls where she would always look so stunning and would just move around through the crowds and talk to everyone. She could always fit in with any group of people, even us nerds!
She would always take the mick out of my long hair and tell me to get it cut. In hindsight she was telling the truth, it was an absolute mess!
And let's not forget the sing star nights!
You won't have any troubles getting wonderful memories of Ella, from yourself or from anyone who ever knew her. She was a very memorable person and made a real impact on each and every one of us.
Jamie