Dear Mammy, I woke up today and you weren’t there to make me my Coco Pops. Daddy made them but they weren’t the same. I think Daddy was crying he looked sad, so I gave him a hug.

Dear Mammy, it’s been two weeks now and you’re still not here. Where have you gone? If it’s because I wouldnít tidy my Transformers then I’m sorry, please come back.

Dear Mammy, Daddy says you’ve gone on holiday, I hope itís nice there and you are having fun, but I miss you.

Dear Mammy, it was my birthday today. Daddy threw me a big party with all my friends. Stephen was there; he ate too much cake and got sick on the carpet, everyone laughed. I got lots of presents. Aunt Maura and Uncle Peter were there. They were hugging Daddy a lot. Mammy, can I tell you a secret? When I blew out my candles I didn’t wish for a new bike, I wished for you to come back.

Dear Mammy, I spoke to Daddy today, he said you’ve gone to a place where there are no visitors allowed. I wish you would write back. I miss you very much.

Dear Mam, I’m sorry I haven’t written to you in so long. I’ve realised now that you’re never coming back. I feel so angry. Dad has become distant and we’re not as close as we once were. I feel so alone.

Dear Mam, I started secondary school today, it was a bit nerve-wracking. It’s so hard having more than one teacher. I don’t know how I’m going to keep track of everyone. I met some interesting people. One guy is from China, his name is Ping, I laughed to myself, I know I shouldn’t have! I can’t say what my favourite subjects are yet but I think I’m going to like Art. My teacher, Ms Copeland, seems nice. A few of the others are a bit scary!! Dad is doing better, he’s been busy at work so we don’t see each other as much as I’d like. Anyway, I miss you.

Dear Mam, met this really cool girl at school today, she’s a year ahead of me and doing her Junior Cert. Her name is Janice and everybody fancies her. I haven’t told Dad about her, I’d be too mortified! I was so glad that she talked to me. We met at lunch and just hit it off. I hope she doesn’t think I’m a loser because I like art and poetry. I’m thinking of asking her out but I’m afraid she’ll say no! Wish me luck!

Dear Mam, well me and Janice have been going steady for six months now. She was my first kiss. I hope I did it right. Dad has met her a few times, she’s been round to the house. Although he just nods hello over the paper. I wish you could meet her, she’s perfect. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes. I wrote a few poems about her but I’m too shy to read them aloud.

Dear Mam, I start my junior cert tomorrow. I’m so nervous. Dad says if I get five honours he’ll buy me a phone so I’m really going to work hard.

Dear Mam, well I got my phone!! I actually got an A in art I’m so happy. Dad wants me to sign up for the hurling team, but I don’t know how to tell him I’m not that into sports. I’m really getting into music and would love to take up the guitar, but I don’t know if Dad can take the noise!

Dear Mam, Janice has been really distant lately, I don’t know what’s wrong. I finally read her one of my poems but I didn’t get the reaction I was hoping for. Remember when you used to read to me? My favourite was ‘I am David’. I wish you were here.

Dear Mam, me and Janice broke up. She said that she needed time alone, but Timmy O’Malley said he saw her with Darren Grimes. I’m so upset. I think I loved her, I did love her. Dad says to cheer up and there are plenty more fish in the sea. I don’t know what that means. My heart is broken.

Dear Mam, I just got my results for my leaving cert and got the points I need to go to college. I’m going to study art and drama. I saw Janice the other day but she didn’t say hello. I haven’t really had a proper girlfriend since her. Guess I’m a bit shy. I’m just trying to focus on college. I hope you’re proud of me.

Dear Mam, had my first drink today, Dad took me to his local. Well, it was almost my first drink I tried it once when I was 15, please don’t be mad I didn’t like it!! Dad was so funny he introduced me to everyone. I think he’s warming to the idea of having a son who’s an art major, although I may take him to a hurling match for his birthday in June.

Dear Mam, I met this girl in college, her name is Helen. She makes me feel like I’m dancing on stars! She’s an English major and wants to be a teacher. I even showed her some of my poems, she particularly liked the one I wrote about you. She inspires me Mam! You should see her, she has striking red hair and green eyes, she reminds me of you. I think she may be ‘the one’.

Dear Mam, Helen and I got married on June 3rd, just like you and Dad. Dad brought along a friend, a woman, she’s nice. Please don’t be jealous! Her name is Anna and she has two boys, which I’ve grown very fond of. I wish you could have seen our wedding day, it was beautiful. Not the same without you though.

Dear Grandma! Helen gave birth to beautiful twins at 4.30am. I’m so over the moon I can’t stop smiling! Dad is loving his new role and can’t wait to babysit. We called them Ella after Dad’s Mum and Maria, after you. I swear that Maria has your look and a hint of red hair. Never thought I’d feel this happy, but I still miss you.

Dear Mam, Dad is getting weaker by the day, I fear for his health. Anna has spent the past two weeks by his side, she’s been really supportive. I painted a picture of him and it hangs proudly above his bed. I know his time is nearing the end, but Helen and the girls keep me grounded.

Dear Mam, God it’s been years since I wrote you. I’m sorry, but I think about you and Dad every day. I am now a Granddad. Maria had a beautiful baby boy whom she called Francis, after Dad. Ella is still living in Australia but comes home every few months.

Dear Mother, I don’t feel as energetic as I used to. Helen keeps urging me to go to the doctor about this cough that I can’t seem to shake. I wish she wouldn’t worry so.

Dear Mother, It turns out that cancer will catch you no matter how healthy you are. Guess it’s time I put things in order. Ella refuses to go back to Australia. I keep telling her I’m fine but she’s insistent, like her mother.

Dear Mother, I think this will be my last letter for a while. I visited you and Dad today and laid flowers. Please tell Dad that I miss him and my life was better for having parents like you. But Mam, if I get scared near the end, please hold my hand like you used to. I know I’ll see you both soon.

Love Sam xx.