"Even now, I will the phone to ring and
Mark to say `Hi babe, only me' but I realise this will never
happen again." The last call she had from her husband
came the day before the accident a call she treasures
and is eternally grateful for. "We both spoke to him,
both me and Poppy, and I'm so grateful we got that chance."
Mrs Griffiths-Gibson, says Poppy, who attends Peatmoor Community
School, has been coping well and has many of the characteristics
that made her dad such a well-loved man. "I see a lot
of him in her she's very funny and quick-witted, far
too quick witted for me, and those are exactly the things
that made me fall in love with Mark," said Mrs Griffiths-Gibson.
She has written to her daughter's school thanking all the
staff and pupils for their support.
"Mark was an amazing person and I count myself so lucky
to have been his wife. Because of his zest for life he was,
and will be, an inspiration to me constantly. He was the love
of my life. I have received so many letters and cards and
I thank everyone for that; their kind words gave me tears,
laughter and comfort. The support I have received has been
amazing and without this I wouldn't be able to put a smile
on my face and function each day," said Mrs Griffiths-Gibson
who plans to return to work as a ward sister at the Great
Western Hospital next week.
Neighbours have collected money to buy presents for Poppy
as well as helping tidy-up and re-plant a fir tree outside
the front of their house. Colleagues at the Great Western
Hospital also collected money and with it have bought a star
in the Hercules constellation which has been dedicated
to Mark and designated with the date of his death.
"I told Poppy that now we can look up at night and the
brightest star twinkling in the sky is daddy," said Mrs
Griffiths-Gibson. Mark was buried
with full military honours including a flypast of
a Hercules - at St Mary's Church, Lydiard Tregoze on April
4 the same church in which the couple got married 14
years earlier. Nicknamed `Radio Gibbo' because of his love
of music, the number one hit song `Amarillo' by Tony Christie
was played as his coffin was carried through the graveyard.
"I hear that song everywhere I go and Poppy loves singing
it at the top of her voice. I thought the funeral was wonderful,
so dignified and just right. The Hercules flying right overhead
was a real lump in the throat moment."
She described her husband as a man who loved his job, his
life, his family and music and adored his friends. "He
would be so proud and chuffed to observe the tremendous level
of support that his friends have given myself and Poppy. The
last thing Mark would say prior to going en route would be
if anything happens, ring the boys, they'll look after you
and sort it out and they are."
She asked the Gazette & Herald to express thanks to:
Both her and Mark's family; RAF Lyneham and 47 Squadron; Terri
and Gareth; Tom and Sally; Carrie and Steve; Dangerous; Blatchy;
Eiff; Mac and Debbie; Jeanette and Paul; Steph and Wayne;
Sam and Steve; Lisa M; Rachel P; Tania C; Sheena; Cathy C;
Nadine and Martin; Lisa H; Tommo and Jan; Helen and Brian;
Chris Rodham; Rachel and Neil; Andy Griffiths; Dave and Paula;
Martin and Helen; Heather; Lucy; colleagues and friends on
the Orthopaedic Unit at GWH; and neighbours.
|
