We didn't think we would see the day, but he made it! 56 years old today and still here, although too tired to fight it now. He is mostly sleeping, waking only for a minute or two at a time. He still tells me he loves me, and asks me how I am - just like him to still be worried about everyone else. But, he whispers and slurs a little and sometimes the morphine makes him confused, so at 4am this morning he pushed the covers off and said he was getting up to do 5 minutes of exercise - how my heart would sing if he could still get out of bed! So, today we are celebrating with a string of fairy lights, a few sips of Cuppa Soup and a bed bath... what more could a man need :)
To everyone who has sent him birthday wishes - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have read them all out to him, and although he hasn't the energy to enjoy the day, or give much of a reaction to all the love he is sent, I am sure that he is chuffed to know just how many people think the world of him. I wanted to share some of the wonderful messages with everyone, as I am also deeply thrilled to know that he has had a positive and thoughtful impact on so many people. I am so proud of him.
Also including a few photos which people have sent me, which are so nice to see and to save for the future. One bonus photo of John earlier in the week sporting a natty moustache as a result of my first ever attempt to shave a man's face - it received mixed reactions from the kids. I quite liked it but ultimately didn't think it suited his personality, so it too has gone now. Amazing how the body still has the energy to grow hair!
Woke up thinking of you this morning Mr.B. Hope you’re enjoying watching the leaves turn, the winter season come in to your beautiful home.
It’s the GCC village hall today and it’s a share fair 🙈 the office / everyone getting together isn’t the same without you here. It’s not the same without someone to have a giggle with. Harris just isn’t as funny (Liz - not true - Harris is hilarious!). Miss you so much and hopefully you can watch the squirrels and birds and the beautiful world you live in and have a laugh at the amount of printing I’ve had to do this morning and how irrelevant and unimportant it is in the scheme of life xxx - Jess
Hi JB
Just sending my very best to you
You’re in my thoughts
You’re a fabulous man and the best boss I had - Tony
John & Liz, just to let you know that I and all of your friends are very much thinking of you at this difficult time. John, we saw your happy smiley face in the Material Fulfilment village hall last week as your photo was on the org chart and it was lovely that you were on our screens!! Sending lots of hugs and love to you both. - Heather
JB!! The founder of darts and drinks!! Have a great day - Kully
You looked out for me in Covid when on furlough never forgotten that.
Always looked forward to you coming back to Leamington - a friend first and boss second 🙏🏽 - Kully
Happy Birthday, John. All our love to you, Liz and the girls. There’s been some cracking times mate. Glad to have shared in just a few. - Andy
I wish you both so much peace and love. It has been a true privilege to have known you John and to call you my friend. Your support during some pretty dark and difficult times in recent years meant everything to me and I will always be so grateful that I knew you. I'm so sad that I won't get to see you again but know that you will cause absolute mayhem wherever you are! Love you JB and sending loving thoughts to you both. Your stories have been inspirational. Thank you both xxx - Chris
Love to you both, you are such an inspiration to us all xxx - Kevin
John Burkinshaw always a pleasure to call you a colleague and friend. None of us know what life cards we will be dealt nor how we will handle them. It has been an honour to be there on your journey and I wish you a peaceful end to your ride. You and your family have been truly inspirational, showing great strength, hope and dignity. Sleep well. xx - Lisette
Liz, John, sending you all the love in the world. I have amazing memories of what a wonderful person John is, esp our many conversations over board games! This world can be very cruel. Xx - Michelle
Happy Birthday, John! You are a legend! - Diana
Hi John, I hope this message finds you surrounded by love and kindness, which I’m sure it does. I’ve been following your journey for 12 months now and you’re an inspiration my friend.
I’ve now started my marathon training for next year and can honestly say I hate every single step and quite worryingly, it’s not getting easier!! I’ll be thinking of you next year mate as I plod along and inside my little brain, it’ll keep me going until I reach the end.
Rest easy buddy, Jon x
Thinking of you both. I like to think that John still has that mischievous glint in his eye and dry Yorkshire sense of humour, despite all he is going through. Sending hugs and love to you all x - Heather
Dear John,
Thank you for your help, support and humour over the last 11 years. You've been a huge inspiration to many, for as long as I've known you, right to the end. We'll always remember you, your warmth, your epic Christmas jumpers and your regular office foraging for birthday goodies 😆 Truly a legend, one of a kind and loved by us all. - Jessica
Happy birthday you gorgeous man xxx - Chris
Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to lovely John.
The pair of you are truly the kindest and most big hearted people and I've been so lucky to count you both as friends.
Sending all my love and warmest wishes, x x x - Parveen
A very happy birthday to John!
He was only my boss for a couple of years but he’s still the best boss I’ve ever had and always treated everyone like friends.
I always admired him so much for being professional and yet still fun and mischievous at the same time… and of course, massively loved and respected by all.
I’ve missed seeing John around the office as he always made time for everyone.
John has always been an inspiration to me and he continues to and always will be.
All the best wishes,
Ben x
Hi. If I don’t get time before in this crazy world. Happy Birthday for Sunday. Remember all the best people have a birthday in November - Simon
Reading your journey over the last year and sharing your ups and downs has been inspirational. You will have helped so many people who have to deal with such terrible illnesses. I wish you all the happiness and peace with what time you have together.
Sending love and thoughts to you all.
x x - Kev
Much love. Many happy memories from our Robinson days. All peace and no pain xxxx - Nicky
There’s not much I can say John, other than thanks again for everything, you’ve been a true inspiration for me since I joined the company. I hope it doesn’t hurt and you don’t suffer much so you can easily spend the last coins, as you said, with Lizi and your family ❤️- Francesco
Look after John. Tell him he was always a wind up merchant to me - in a fun way of course. We had some amazing holidays together - remember on top of the volcano in Iceland?!! Oh I miss those times Liz.
Happy birthday to John - Claire
Hello John. I’ve been following your blog and perhaps didn’t have the right words. I never do, it’s a problem.
Nonetheless I want to say what I think about the time we work together. You always treated me like an equal, never less than. You were worried when I had a house fire and asked me if I was ok. When I couldn’t make a work meeting because I was doing a eulogy at the funeral of my best friend who died suddenly, you texted me with best wishes.
I was just a person who passed through your life in the whole Unipart / JLR conundrum but you were always so human, real, kind and treated me as an equal, which sounds so stupid when I write it because that is how it should be but it isn’t.
We barely know each other in real terms but I can see from being your Facebook friend that you have touched many lives so deeply.
Anyway I just wanted to send love to you and to Liz and to your children. You are one of the good guys and it was always a pleasure working with you with your cheeky nature and insightful challenges.
Liz xxx
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