PAUL, my big brother, where do I start? I have so many memories locked within my heart ♥ I remember your clear blue eyes as a young boy Greeting me first thing in the morning So bright like the sky above or a Caribbean sea Your mischievous grin and dimples on your cheeks You always woke with a smile on your face, happy for the day ahead Stephen and you would always cheer me up, if I went in the cream puff Playing games and having fun, waiting for the next morning sun Time didn’t matter we never noticed the hours go by Care free and adventurous, we laughed, joked, always on a high You were always making up rhymes and reciting them off the top of your head I looked up to you, a mentor, and a confidante, one of my idols Bono, Lennon, MLK & Jim Morrison, they never reached your heights There was never a dull moment growing up with you Always in your element in the middle of a drama Remember you sang ‘Lou Lou’ when they gave you your ‘Q’ To a crowd at the primary school play, dressed up in drag In a flowery dress, American tan tights and Mum’s handbag Your other siblings never lived that down At school you always stuck up for Stephen, your wee cousin Paul and me You liked an adventure and you took a few risks Like most young men your age, but you learnt from your mistakes Remember all the holidays to seaside resorts with the ‘Dickson’ family Auntie Sylvia, Uncle Frank, who sadly passed away The highlights of Christmas and cheering on the Jambos on New Years Day Our cousins Craig and Nicola, we nick-named ourselves the ‘Broons’ We could never really decide who was supposed to be who? You were always so popular with all the family, and especially popular with girls You would often be compared to ‘Shaken Stevens’ or a young ‘Elvis Presley’ A beautiful face with a personality to match, you ‘light’ up a room Remember all your trips to London, attracted by the bright lights, big city You knew it like the back of your hand, when we visited you we didn’t need a map You worked in a few 5 stars hotels including Park Lane, where they filmed Mona Lisa I believe you met Bob Hoskins and the other leading members You couldn’t wait to phone me and tell me you had met U2’s guitarist ‘The Edge’ Our cousin Craig worked beside you at Kings Cross in The Royal Scot Hotel He’s been telling us all the funny stories of your antics and partying nights out You were always ‘larger than life’ and a bit of a party animal You could dance like ‘Bez’ from The Happy Mondays and adored your idol ‘Shaun William Ryder’♫ Your itchy feet subsided and we were all glad to have you back I think Mum and Dad played the song by ‘Peters & Lee’ to welcome you home You finally found your footing back in Edinburgh and finally settled down You fell in love with Jamie, your son, from the moment you first met Took on new responsibilities and became the Dad he needed We all gave you good advice, which I’m sure you heeded With the birth of your child Christopher, you were over the moon The family you desired was complete and you worked hard to keep them Like our Mum & Dad had strived for us and gave them the things they desired They were your whole world and always will be A family man, with a ‘heart of gold’♥ that you wore on your sleeve You studied hard at college and found all your hidden strengths Helping others your compassion and understanding knew no ends Self doubt plagued you but you overcame your demons and fears We helped each other; we laughed, joked & sometimes dried away the tears You encouraged me to follow in your footsteps, I shared the same compassion I finally found my forte, you taught me so much about how to care and listen The talents you had kept hidden came to fruition, Football, music♫, computing, DIY and a sensitive intuition In the kitchen cooking you were the perfect host We had so many good times and you loved a little toast You followed your main passion, a life long ‘Jambo’ You made time to see them home or away Come win, lose or draw, glory or dismay You met countless of well known players and managers on your travels You became a big kid again and told the stories over and over I heard all about those trips to Europe you must have had a ball I remember all the busman holidays when you supported the ‘Freespace’tenants If it involved football trips abroad you were always down on the rota I was over the moon when you finally met your true love Fiona ♥ I was so happy for you; you had found your soul-mate I sometimes gave you a hard time for not putting a ring on her finger You told me the first birthday card you gave her, you were a year out Silly you mistook her for a 40 year old, when she was still only 39 You spent the last 10 years living between your own home and The Ferry, Fiona’s children Danielle, Thomas and Ross They took to you like a family member, you became their 2nd Dad I believe you were at your happiest then and I was so happy for you The Gordon family took to you like a duck to water Fiona’s Mum, Sisters & Brothers and extended family A strange coincidence when Stephen ‘Big Bruv’ moved into the Ferry He met his true-love Marion at the Ferry fair in the summer 2001 He too took on new responsibilities and became step Dad to Christopher Then we had 2 Christopher’s in the family, what a confusion! We had to nick name them Chris A and Chris B, we still do to this day The family became even closer when you became a proud uncle Stephen and Marion’s’ little bundle of joy Callum joined us in 2003 You always had time for anyone who needed help and cheering up A peoples’ person, even strangers were attracted to your wit & charm The gregarious, funny, genuine, talented and kind nature You’ve now passed onto to your own children You were happy for me when this year I became engaged to John in May You thought you had missed the party but sorry there wasn’t one I can’t believe I’m writing about you in a past tense You have shaped so many lives all those who love and care for you I am blessed to have had your guidance, strength and you in my life We will always carry your memories in our hearts ♥♥ for evermore I hope you’re somewhere safe and they love you just as much as we do