I have lost my Dad and I have grieved. I will continue to grieve, but I will walk on.

How I walk on is fully within my power and I choose to walk on as a man worthy of carrying his memory. I can't do much for him now, but I hope that what I can do, is make him proud. Be a man who makes the right choices. For the right reasons. Who's not afraid to do the work necessary to become better tomorrow than I am today.

I'm pretty sure that's what any father would want for his son's (or daughter's) life. I'm grateful to say that that's what I'm doing. I'm fighting the fight to the best of my ability and I'm determined to never give up.

I also intend to be kind. I know that's a weird add on, but it matters. We don't just travel our roads alone. We travel with, and meet others along our way. The support I've received from my friends has been inspiring. My family have been gathered together in this storm and I'm so lucky to be surrounded by love to guard against this grief. But the best way to show your gratitude, I think, is to make sure you share the kindness you receive. I also think it's a wonderful way to pay tribute to my Dad. He taught me kindness and to be able to pass it on is the greatest gift I can possess.

Kindness is easy. It can be small. It can be simple. But it is always something we all need.

I'm determined to make my life something that finds the good in every moment. Not just because it helps, but because it's THERE. Always. And we become worthy of this life if we see it and appreciate it every step of the way.

Yes, there's bad - like losing someone we love - but at the same moment there's good, too - like the people we haven't lost yet, and we owe it our lives to remember that. It's where real strength comes from. And God knows we should always know where to look for THAT.

I'm back to feeling alive and strong, even though I know I'll have my moments of sadness, and I'm grateful again to be here. Here and alive and wanting to smile again. Just like Dad would want. And I KNOW he'd be glad to know that during the worst, I didn't stumble. I didn't fall. I walked on.

Today I did not & will not gamble, Dad. I did not give in. I will not give up. Never again. I love you and miss you, and I WILL WALK ON.