My special friend Chris, I cannot possibly imagine what you are going through at the moment. I confess it has taken me a couple of days to absorb this, so what on earth you are coping with is unimaginable. I (we) am so terribly sorry. Such a wonderful man - a wonderful couple - and to go so quickly. You must be completely devastated, and to think that you can't even have your family around you to comfort you, though so glad that Claire is able to be with you. Ian was a wonderful man, such a brief time we spent together, but you were a loving couple, glued at the hip, and obviously, still very much in love. You both were the typical loving couple, and now, you must face the rest of your life on your own. So very sad, and so unfair, especially since even his funeral will be restricted. This must be so dreadful for you, I just can't imagine what you are going through. If there could possibly be an "upside" to this, it is that he didn't suffer. That is something that you might like to hold on to. I know that when I lost my Dad at 10 years of age (he was 45), in the same way, that was my anchor to hold on to - he didn't have to suffer. And neither has Ian - a blessing for you both. But, Chis, you are resilient, strong, and resourceful, and you know that you have many, many family and friends, who will support you (whenever this dreadful virus goes away.) Meanwhile, stay in your moments and your memories, and know that your family and friends are there in spirit for you, and enveloping you with huge love. That love comes to you also from us, and our hopes that you will come through this unimaginable shock and, when you are ready, smile in the warm sunshine of life, pick up your pieces again, and resume life as Ian would want you to do. Please stay in touch when you can. With huge hugs, Robyn & Roy. Robyn was in Inner Wheel in Australia and her club wanted to have contact with a club in the UK and I was Secretary so got in touch and it was shortly after we went on our Rotary Friendship Exchange, staying with Dennis and Esther, and we met up with Robyn and some of her IW ladies and became firm friends. These are the ladies who are ‘Honorary Grannies’ to Harry and Tom who were born after our visit.