Some years ago when I was playing Joust festival I had arranged to meet with a fan call Sha, we had been in email and letter contact for some time and I was very struck with her lovely sense of humour and incredibly supportive attitude towards my various projects. Sha was not very well at all, she had a big problem with her heart and she was waiting for an operation which she had been given a 50/50 chance of survival.

We met just outside our merch tent and Sha gave me a present she had made for me and we chatted for a while. Whilst we were talking I noticed the colour change is her lips.

"Are you Ok darling?" I said.
"Yes, I'm absolutely fine," she replied and then she collapsed, I caught her in my arms and then ran to get an ambulance whilst her friend stayed with her.

The ambulance came and were with her for some time but she never regained consciousness. She was 36 years old.

Katharine and I went to her funeral in Devon and Kat sang The Adult Lullaby, it was very upsetting and I have to say it took me a really long time to get over it. In some ways I don't think I ever will. Every time we have a gig or release a new album I think about how much she would have enjoyed it.

With the official Launch of Illumination next week, Sha is on my mind a lot and I hope she knows I still think about her and in some way she is still enjoying our work.

Sha, I'm still out there doing it for you!!

Don't feel sad, Emily. I'm sure Sha will hear your music wherever she is. Just continue performing the magic you ladies have always been doing.

you just made a grown man cry......

Emily, I hope you find comfort knowing that wherever you perform, Sha will always be enjoying it from the best seat in the house.

I remember hearing about this years ago, but had no idea the circumstances were so personal. I'm sure she is still enjoying your beautiful music and is honored to have met you in this life before she left it too soon.

wow, very touching!

I agree with Damien. She'll be watching & listening from the best seat in the house!

Wow Em. That's absolutely heart wrenching.

You know, sometimes the MOST beautiful and glorious things come out of very tragic circumstances. Way to often people measure another person's life by the number of their days. But it seems to me the world is full of folks living some long but rather empty and meaningless lives so afraid to open their hearts they never really feel joy or pain. To be remembered and missed by ones own Heros after passing is very special gift that few will ever experience. When I look up at a moonless star filled sky I find it beautiful and uplifting because I focus on the light and not the darkness between. At the heart of it, this is a story of a couple of very bright stars.

People come into our life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you Emotionally, Spiritually or Physically.
They may seem like a godsend and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realise is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is knowing.

Author Unknown

a tragic but ultimately uplifting story. if i am going to die young, how better than with someone i love and admire? Gwyddon, I m so glad you explained that to me. I have been trying to work out why the most beautiful platonic friend I have ever known was taken from me, just as I was getting to like him (No, hes still alive, just in a different place) Sorry about typing - my keyboards broken!