it was one of the most crowded wakes i've ever been to - like the way it was in the icu, packed out with friends and family there to accompany him on his final journey.

two heart-breaking moments.

edmund: "are you okay?"
yvonne: "i am now, but i won't be tomorrow morning" (cremation at 9am)

i looked across the crowded hall to see alex's mother standing with a vacant look on her gaunt face. suddenly her legs gave way. it was a good thing an aunt was nearby and caught her before she fell over. relatives all around rushed up to take care of her. her face was so blank, yet so full of unspoken sorrow...

he looked so peaceful lying there. we can only imagine the pain he has been through in those 35 days. it was such a beautiful portrait of him they'd chosen to frame up... he looked so healthy and happy.

goodbye, alex.