From Amy

Hello everyone,

I want to say that my thoughts have been on Max, his family and all his friends constantly since returning back from visiting everyone in London last week. I thought I was going to be alright yesterday, today, all week, but I'm not and wish I could be with the people that matter to me the most at such a time as this. Sometimes I think that being so far away in Leeds is beneficial in someway in helping to deal with what has happened but at the moment I just want to be with my friends.

I've come into work today because I want to keep my mind occupied but it is impossible, Max is all I can think about. I've got some really vivid memories of my time with him but equally vivid is every minute of this day last year.

My mum gave a book to read a while ago, and I've reading it again in the past week. There's a passage that I want to share with you all that I hope will touch you, as it did me the moment I read it:

'For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.'

I will always love Max for the presence he had when he walked into a room, his smile, his hugs; his undeniable ability to cheer us up after lending such a good ear. These are all the things I miss the most and always will. I now value my friendships in such a greater way (if possible) than ever before in my life. It has changed me ... and Max's ability to have such an effect on the people he met is what has become clear to me in the past year.

All my love,
Amy