Richard Pringle has urged people to “cherish the simplest of things” in a heartbreaking list of things he has learned since losing his son.
Global (05 September 2017) – Richard Pringle opened up about the loss of three-year-old Hughie, saying “you can never ever kiss and love too much” after his son suddenly died after a brain hemorrhage last year.
Richard’s list of “The 10 Most Important Things I’ve Learned Since Losing My Son” has since struck a chord with thousands of people, with his post being shared thousands of times on social media.
But speaking to the media, the 40-year-old said he had simply wanted people to remember to stop and make the most of their kids.
“It was the anniversary of Hughie’s death last weekend, and even though we are completely devastated with what happened, we always celebrate him, and what he brought to us in the three years he was with us.
“He gave us a lifetime of amazing memories, and my job is to always remember that.”
So 2 weeks ago, Richard sat down and wrote out a list of all the things he had been thinking about since losing Hughie – hoping others would take on board at least one thing.
The 10 Most Important Things I’ve Learnt Since Losing My Son:
1. You can never ever kiss and love too much.
2. You always have time. Stop what you’re doing and play, even if it’s just for a minute. Nothing’s that important that it can’t wait.
3. Take as many photos and record as many videos as humanly possible. One day that might be all you have.
4. Don’t spend money, spend time. You think what you spend matters? It doesn’t. What you do matters. Jump in puddles, go for walks. Swim in the sea, build a camp and have fun. That’s all they want. I can’t remember what we bought Hughie I can only remember what we did.
5. Sing. Sing songs together. My happiest memories are of Hughie sitting on my shoulders or sitting next to me in the car singing our favourite songs. Memories are created in music.
6. Cherish the simplest of things. Night times, bedtimes, reading stories. Dinners together. Lazy Sundays. Cherish the simplest of times. They are what I miss the most. Don’t let those special times pass you by unnoticed.
7. Always kiss those you love goodbye and if you forget. Go back and kiss them. You never know if it’s the last time you’ll get the chance.
8. Make boring things fun. Shopping trips, car journeys, walking to the shops. Be silly, tell jokes, laugh, smile and enjoy yourselves. They’re only chores if you treat them like that. Life is too short not to have fun.
9. Keep a journal. Write down everything your little ones do that lights up your world. The funny things they say, the cute things they do. We only started doing this after we lost Hughie. We wanted to remember everything. Now we do it for Hettie and we will for Hennie too. You’ll have these memories written down forever and when your older you can look back and cherish every moment.
10. If you have your children with you. To kiss goodnight. To have breakfast with. To walk to school. To take to university. To watch get married. You are blessed. Never ever forget that.
Richard’s list of 10 reminders is simple, and yet most of us could do with a gentle nudge from time to time. Richard hopes his loss can help remind other parents just how lucky they are.
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