The Things That I Know || George Michael

forty - the final

Note: this chapter contains mention of grief, death and loss.

• • •

Dear diary,

Today is December 27th, 2027. We wanted to write this entry in as similar a style to the other entries as possible, because we feel it's only fitting. Our father gave us this diary so that we could look back on all the important parts of his life — from when he was younger, to now. Reading over his turmoils and joys over the course of more than four decades has really been something for us to experience.

We all agreed that it was the best course of action to write a final entry into this special book, in honour of our wonderful father, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou-Jones. He dedicated so much time to writing in here, so it feels like closure to conclude his many adventures with one final piece. You may be questioning why we'd write a "final" entry in here, when there are still pages left.

In the early hours on Christmas Day, our beloved father passed away peacefully in our home. He was sixty-four-and-a-half years of age, to the date.

It was a sudden but quiet occurrence, and one we doubt we'll ever get our heads around. One minute he was here, and the next he was not. It's almost as if he knew his time was up, and that's why he gave us his most valuable, sentimental possession. Dad is devastated, and so are our Aunties, Yioda and Melanie. And of course, 'Uncle' Andrew, 'Auntie' Nancy and 'Auntie' Steph are beside themselves. It's something that has shaken all of us to the core.

There are, of course, a few things which give us some solace in this extremely difficult time. First of all, Dad is now with his parents. He missed them so much since they passed away. Now, they are reunited at last. Second of all, he reassured us time and time again that he's had a good, happy and fulfilling life. Of course, there's been twists and turns. Life's path never runs straight. But he made it explicitly clear, that he had no regrets in his life before he left us, aside from not knowing Birdie. It gives us immense comfort, among the absolute agony of all of this.

As a family, we all had some truly fantastic times together. All the day trips and the weekends away to different places ... the laughter and the tears we shared ... the birthdays and Christmases and everything in between ... we are truly blessed in that sense. We cannot say we regretted anything about the parents we were fortunate enough to be born to. We have many memories from the time that Dad was here for.

But that's what we must keep with us and treasure, now. The memories.

Thank you for serving our father so well throughout his life, dear diary. Thank you for providing us with one final piece of our father in such a raw and authentic way. There is nothing more precious than memories, thoughts and feelings.

We love you always, Daddy. Until we meet you again, we will carry you in our hearts.

A heartbroken Gem, Kieran, and Birdie xxx

• • •

"What a lazy bones," Levi laughs, glancing at his dear husband, who is lost in a peaceful slumber in bed by his side. "Well, I'm going to go and wake the kids up. It's Christmas Day. They may be in their early twenties now, but that doesn't stop them from getting excited. Well — only because Kieran knows exactly what he's getting for his main gift." He shimmies out of bed, leaning across the mattress to rest a gentle kiss upon George's head. "I'll come back in, in a moment. Enjoy the extra five minutes' sleep, won't you?" With a chuckle, he exits the bedroom.