+*Family*+

[l-r Nan, Uncle Ray,Aunty Carol,Nonna, Mum, Dad, Me,Claire,Ollie]

-Mum-

I wanna start, by not only thanking you for bringing me into this world.. but for keeping me in it. You've been the one person who has kept me level headed, kept me strong, and kept me believing. Believing in myself. Believing in others, and believing in life itself. When i have hated the world you have been there to show me that there is true beauty under my nose, when i have doubted myself you have reminded me of all the things i have achieved and all the things i have still to achieve, when i have thought i was ugly you have looked at me in the eye and told me i am beautiful. You have a face, smile and eyes that would not lie to me and that make me feel so safe, and so very special. For everything you've ever done for me, and all that you have left to do, i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been that special friend i have needed to wipe away my tears, the heroine who fought off my demons and the sunshine to my petals that helped me to grow. You will forever and a day be my best friend and i will never let you down, and i too will be there to wipe away your tears and make u laugh, as i have done in the past and will continue to do so until that day when, as a child you told me, we would meet in the stars and recognise each other only by coloured lights.. Yours will be a strong purple, you always said... i will always see that purple light wherever i go...and you will always be by my side through everything.. i love you mum, you truly are the best mum in the world!

-Dad-

There are so many times when we have argued, and so many times when we have not had the words to say to eachother. I love u dad, i do, and i know i can be hard at times and not let you into my life as much as i should, but it's not because i love you less than anyone else.. You have always been there for me, and i have over the years learnt to appreciate you so much more than you will ever know. For all those times i didn't hug you when u asked me to, i want to tell you that i'm sorry and that i didn't mean to hurt your feelings. You have always done the best for our family and i know you will do so forever, because you love us all more than anything in the world. You have given me the gift of your humour over the years, which is one of the qualities about you that is unique. You can make people laugh so easily and i take that with me through life, carrying on from things you have said, making my friends laugh, and everytime i do so i am reminded of you. You are the funniest person in my life and to make someone smile is the best thing in the world. You are naturally funny and stupid which to me is what makes you the best dad i've ever known, and no one comes close.

-Ollie-

The big brother everyone in the world should have. We have argued so much, so often and about stupid things. I wonder sometimes how we ever spoke to eachother after some of the things we said to eachother. But i know, in my heart of hearts, that you are truly a wonderful person. So passionate, so caring, and sometimes so sensitive and in need of a hug. I'm glad i know that side of you, the side where i could just give you a hug and say "Ollie, i love you" which is rare. I want you in my life through everything i do, because to me you are the brother that is also one of my best friends. We can talk about everything and anything, we laugh about stupid things and have the same taste in music...even now sharing a love for Dad's Frank Sinatra collection which we detested for many years. When you were in SA going up to your room and seeing all those photos around, even though you werent there i felt that you were and the house was not the same without you. On all the journeys you take in life, i want you to take me with you, tell me everything, share every feeling, and every thought. Sing me every song you write, and every story you put down on paper. To me you are a very special person and i missed not having you around when you were away.

-Nan-

Nan, you are one of the only people who i could sit at a meal table with and laugh at everything you say. Dad gets his humour from you, and so do i. I am so grateful for having a nan like you, who i am able to chat to about anything, who i am able to spend ages on the phone to, and to take out [even though it seems to be like once in a while] and to have someone who wants to know how i am feeling and what i am doing. You are the one person in my life who i can truly say cares about everyone so much, and with such great compassion. You are like a star in the nights sky, lighting up the darkness of the world. People like you are few and far between and i hope that i have even a fraction of these qualities that you portray & that i can be so independent and as free spirited as you when i am older. You truly are an inspiration to not only me, but Ollie aswell. We could not ask for a better nan than you. Don't ever stop making me laugh and smile. I love you forever and always.

-Nonna-

The person who can sit in a room full of people and sing her heart out just because she loves to sing. I love you nonna so much! I will forever remember your 80th birthday party where i was on the verge of tears to see you so happy, to laughter when you told us stories of your past. Even though i've heard them a million times already, it was like hearing them for the first time. You bring smiles and laughter to lots of people in your life with your singing, "Volare"..."I belong to Glasgow" the list is endless. All your grand children value you very much and you being Italian and bringing that into my life has made me who i am today. I love being part Italian and i love the culture and the madness it brings with it! I will never forget the times you made us lasagne in your house, and the times when everyone in the family was together at christmas time, and happy. Memories of you like that will remain in my mind for the rest of my life and i cherish the big part you have played in it and continue to play.

-To my cousins, Adam, Claire +Nicolo-

You are all such unique and special people..each completely different in your ways, yet all loving and caring at the same time. You are parts of my life that i don't see much, but when i do see you all it is like a constant smile is pinned on my face, because to me you are just the best cousins in the world. For ages i was the baby of the family, and then Nic came along. I will never forget when i first laid eyes on you Nic, you were so small and so smily. If you ever read this you probably won't understand as it's not in Italian but maybe one day you will realise just how much your are loved by me, mum, dad and Ollie. You are such a mad little bundle of fun and joy and we are so happy that you are part of our lives. Adam and Claire, what can i say?! My older cousins, you have always been there for me, and been more like friends than cousins to me a lot of the time. We will always share special memories of your house in Essex, when Adam built the ice chair, or when Claire would sit and play me things on the piano from the books that she kept in her piano stool. Those are the memories i will take with me on all my travels and throughout my life, the memories of laughter, love, and happiness.

-Aunty Carol & Uncle Ray-

I have so many funny memories of my childhood that you both are in. Ray, because you are just so funny and when you and dad are together there is no stopping you.. i remember a long time ago when you and dad were on those slays and you went down the snowy hill, right past everyone into the woods and got soaking wet! That is always a talking point whenever we get together as a family and is one of my most funny memories. I thank you for raising such wonderful children + and being the only uncle i've ever known..although i've never had another uncle, i've never needed one, because you've always been just enough for me!! Carol, my only [very beautiful] aunty now.. i love you lots and lots, you and mum are so alike in many ways, and you share her same sense of humour! You have raised such a beautiful little boy and i am proud to have you as an aunty. I know we don't see you much as you live in Italy but when we do see you it is so much fun.. i thank you for all the things you have ever brought over for us from Italy, for every telephone call from you at christmas or on our birthdays, and every e-card you have ever sent saying "Happy Birthday".. it really does mean a lot, and puts a smile on the face on even a big teenage kid, like me!