Holli goodall

My reason why… 26.2 miles!!!

When I think of James, I think of someone who was part of my life for so many years. Although we didn’t always see eye to eye as we both believed we were right, two opinionated Leo’s!  

James was there throughout my life, and over the years we shared our own special moments — especially our love of motorbikes. He had a few of his own over the years and I’ll always remember the times he took me out on them. Those are memories I’ll carry with me forever.

But some of my most precious memories of James are the ones he made with my boys, Finley and Jaxon.

He had a special way with them, especially when things became overwhelming for Jaxon. James somehow knew exactly when he needed a distraction, and he’d take him off for a walk, like on my wedding day or let him ride around on the tractor with him in the garden. It was his way of helping him feel calm and safe, without making a big thing of it. Those little moments meant more than he probably ever realised.

Losing him to cancer has left a huge hole in our family. There are so many things I wish we could have done and so many conversations we should have had. He fought a long, hard battle and faced everything with such a ‘f**k it attitude’ and that’s exactly my plan for this 26.2 mile walk in his memory. If I can just remember all the silly things he used to do and say, I know I will make it to that finish line in September. 

Amongst the sadness, I’m incredibly grateful. 

Grateful that James was part of my life for so many years.

Grateful for our memories on two wheels.

Grateful for the laughs and most of all, grateful that my boys had a special bond with him.