Happheavenly 75th birthday, Tez 💙 (Dad).
The third birthday without you. It doesn’t get any easier, but I’ll always remember you and post something anyway.
To sum you up is nearly impossible. You were the kindest, most thoughtful person to walk this planet. Whenever we asked for your help or anything at all you did it without hesitation. Grandad’s taxis, everything you were always there. And those are just the small things. To say you left a great big hole in our lives would be an understatement.
Honestly, there aren’t enough words in the world to describe you. You were everything to us. You weren’t just part of our lives you were our lives. I loved you more than any number I could ever write because I don’t even think that number exists
You weren’t just my stepdad you were such a big part of my life and a huge part of who I am. Sometimes my love for you was unspoken, especially in the earlier days, but over time I loved you deeply and truly.
I have so many happy memories of you there are billions. You did shifts at British Steel, yet you always found the time to look after us all. Whether that meant putting your ironing skills to use (lol which left a lot to be desired, haha!) or making sure we were cared for, you were always there.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Shelly and me coming home from school to the smell of your cooking whether that was fresh bread, pasties, or my all time favourite: your sweet and sour pork.
You didn’t just make our house a home it was a home and you definitely made it feel like one.
And although I lost myself for a while after you became an angel, it’s been the hardest struggle of my life so far.
Grief is by far the hardest burden to manage, and losing you changed me Tez I lost myself for a while but slowly I’m finding my way again especially after receiving a beautiful book of poems from my dad, Mick Atkins, at Christmas about grief.
I am slowly getting better. It’s helping me to heal ,little by little. Love you.
Joanne Atkins
01/04/2026
