Mike and Liz Bull (Passed away 11 May 2015)

Elizabeth/Liz/Mum - 30th October 1938 - 11th May 2015

Mike/Mick/Dad - 8th May 1939 - 14th May 2015

Biography written by Mike Bull Jnr (Eldest Son)

Mums illness started after a fall in December 2014. Her health prior to this was not the 'best' but no clue as to what might be around the corner was obvious.
Mum took to her bed and gradually demised, to the point that once on the medics 'radar' she was admitted to hospital late April. It was not long before Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was given weeks to months to live. The cancer was prevalent within her lungs, evidence was also found in her bones ....... the outlook was not good. Sadly, Dad who had also suffered cancer in the lung some sixteen years previous had the 'good' type, if ever there is a good type, and was in denial over Mum, he believed she would come home and regain her strength and then go back to hospital for radiotherapy ..... this was never going to happen. During Mum's time in hospital she received some serious doses of medication, this often put Mum in a 'good' place and her humour and attitude was memorable, I asked her who she was voting for when sat around her bed, she stared into space and simply answered UKIP, I remember laughing. Towards her final days Mum was funny, she gave Dad some stick for getting her provisions that she needed wrong, strangely she was in control, Dad remaining submissive, scoring a first at this late hour! Mum in my view had a tough life, she lost two daughters and she had a stroke in her early thirties, disabling her left hand side. But despite all of this Mum was and remains a special lady, a lady that gave me guidance and steered my life .... at least until I became independent, like men do ! I could write such a lot more but I would write forever, the final part for me was when I visited Mum on the Sunday evening prior to her leaving us, I had an impulsion to go and see her given what Dad had reported earlier when visiting her, Mum had deteriorated in his opinion. We talked a little, Mum was tired, she popped in and out of illuscinating, I said I would leave, she agreed, I gave mum a kiss, she asked me not to lean on her, it was uncomfortable, Mum turned to me and said 'god bless, good night' and waved to me as I left, I turned at the door and Mum continued to waive and look .......... I knew this was goodbye. Thank you Mum, you knew, so did I ....... I will hold onto this memory for the rest of my life, I will miss your wise words, your guidance and indeed your understanding, love you Mum, always will forever xxxx

Dad's departure has been a bomb in our lives ..... never have we/I been so ripped open by this devastating finish to his life. We know death is inevitable, we don't dwell on it and think about it every day, but we do not expect it to surprise us in the way that this has ....... we were with Dad Monday night, he was in control, as far as it goes given that your wife has died, he was planning her funeral, we shared thoughts and specifics as to music, wishes etc he told Rob and I what his requests were, how matters should be dealt with given his departure .... Dad was in shock, he needed time to grieve, we left that night, worried a little about his welfare. Tuesday, we talked on the phone, we agreed the cremation details, the venue etc ... Dad was strong, he was always strong, he could weather any storm .....
I left Dad to his own devices on Wednesday, he needed time to sort matters in his mind, I did too, the future at this point was going to be 'different' I didn't know what it held but in a way it was going to be a new chapter, just Dad to deal with .... a strange concept, but nonetheless an exciting one, things to discuss, things to do .... things to understand.
Thursday awoke, there was an early concern that Dad could not be contacted, his phone was engaged, his mobile just rang out .... my heart signalled fear, something was wrong, upon going to the house this fear was confirmed, Dad had died suddenly, both his GP, Rob and myself found him. His GP was visiting the house, following Mums death, he was checking on Dad, how very considerate.

Whilst Mum gave us warning Dad did not, not his fault, Dad was not going anywhere, he was taken by surprise, we believe he suffered a big heart attack. We later discovered he was on the phone to his biking friend when it struck, the phone went quiet, Dad had passed away. The feeling of shock, the feeling of finality does not go away .... I went to ring him yesterday ..... the wall I hit was solid, no more chats, no phone calls, no emails .... so final .. why ??? how cruel, he had not even had chance to cremate his wife and say goodbye, some might say, how nice both together now, how nice to be cremated together, I am sure there is some truth in this, but not for me ..... my Dad was taken far to quickly, the finality is too much to handle at this hour ......

I will deeply miss my parents and I will carry the 'Bull' flag for now, its a feeling of vulnerability at times, sadly the Bull name does not continue with me or my immediate family, having four daughters, but with Rob my brother and then his son Lewis, feel proud and embrace your family, love each other and value each other, differences included, life is such a short journey, don't measure materialistic parts of life, possessions, objects etc they hold no value ........ your parents do, never forget this.

Mum, Dad, please rest in peace, whatever your new life might be, please cherish everything, my heart is aching, my heart is broken, thank you so much for your guidance, your love, your care ..... you were the best, love you always xxxxx Michael Andrew