Remembering Julia// Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter and Auntie

 I'm sure you were all made aware that my beautiful auntie, Julia, was battling cancer due to my frequent posts and promotions of the 8 inch hair cut I am having on the 6th of February. She sadly lost her battle on Thursday the 22nd of January, 2015.

              Julia was amazing. I really mean it. She was charismatic, funny and loved widely by all those around her. She touched many hearts. The thing that we have to remember is, although she is gone, she still does touch many hearts. She's still charismatic, she's still funny and loved widely more than you could ever imagine. Because of the memories that cannot be forgotten. 

 I remember when I was about ten, before she was diagnosed at the age of 41, and myself, mum and Aunty Romany went up to see Julia, Jeff (her husband), Merryn (3 at the time) and Finlay (6 at the time). One day, we went to the Loch nearby where she lived. It was like a pebble beach. We sat and had a picnic. Auntie Rom sat there eating an olive next to my mum, turned round to spit out the seed and it went straight in my mums ear. Julia was in hysterics. Although she didn't do anything, the memory is still distinctive as she was there. Laughing, smiling and happy with her family. 

We went to the same Loch about a summer ago and had more giggles together, where we had banter about a Chinese stalker I had. Mum even captured this beautiful photograph of us laughing, which is one of my favorite photos of all time:

 Julia lived a life of adventure, too. She was originally diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41, which was treatable, and she appeared to recover from surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After her last chemo session, she went abseiling off the Forth Bridge, which takes guts!
 We did activities together too, like rafting. We went one summer afternoon about two years ago now but I remember it like it was yesterday. Julia mucking about in her wet suit, splashing everybody with her paddle. I can't tell you how lovely it was to see her happy after such a (pardon my french) shitty time.

 Julia was tragically diagnosed in September 2014 with secondary breast cancer which then rapidly spread to her chest wall, lungs, kidneys, liver and ribs. She received chemotherapy to manage the symptoms, slowing the spread of cancer rather than cure it. I cannot imagine how painful and strenuous this battle was for her. But regardless of the pain and suffering, she battled cancer with such bravery and she stayed strong, beautiful and happy throughout it.
 As did her children. Merryn, aged 10, and Finlay, aged 12. And Jeff. Jeff did so much and stayed so strong as well as Julia. Doing the school runs, making lunches and dinners and bringing Julia lots of tea in the morning! He did a lot more than that though, he stayed strong for the family along with Julia.

Finlay and Julia.

Julia Scissorhands, Halloween 2012

Julia and my mother, February 2013

Julia and Merryn

A beautiful bride...

Julia, Jeff, Finlay and Merryn

Sisters: Julia, Lisa (mum) and Romany

Julia with her parents (Grandma and Gramps) at Grandtully Firework Display

Julia did us all very proud after being selected by Breast Cancer Care to model on a cat walk after recovering from her first cancer battle. She also participated in a Venture Photography photo shoot for a calendar which was sold all around the country to raise money for the care of cancer patients.
You can tell from this photo just how much confidence that gave her. We were all, and we still are to this day, very proud of such an outstanding achievement.

 As you may all be aware, I am donating 8 inches of my hair and collecting sponsors for it on the 6th of February in honor of this beautiful woman.The charities chosen selected are relevant to my Auntie's battle.
The Little Princess Trust gathers all hair donations and turns them into beautiful wigs for beautiful young boys and girls who are fighting cancer and unfortunately had to lose all their hair because of the effects of chemotherapy. I chose this charity because I know how much confidence it would give a child, because when my Aunt had to cut her hair, we could see her confidence deteriorating. She was still the same bubbly Jules throughout her battle, and always beautiful.  But small things that she noticed really knocked her down. Everyone deserves mounds and heaps of confidence, this is what I hope my hair will bring to someone when it is transformed into a wig.

Julia after she had her hair cut. She too, donated her hair to The Little Princess trust

Julia with her lovely brown hair before it had to be cut for chemo...

Macmillan Cancer Support offers a range of support for cancer sufferers and the families of cancer sufferers. It did wonders for my Aunt while she was suffering. Even for her confidence, after her first battle she was invited to a beauty haul where she had make-overs and received lots of freebies. Macmillan made her feel beautiful when she needed confidence and happiness.
 It also offers a counseling service in desperate times for families, sufferers and bereavement. It has supported thousands of cancer sufferers and their families across the UK and Scotland and is widely recognized for the endless efforts made to provide support for everyone affected by cancer.



Things are definitely not going to be the same without Julia. No funny posts on Facebook, no banter, and not as much joy as there used to be. Especially during the early days. But she is still with us now and forever. I hope she is proud, that she loves my hair cut and sees how much money I raise in her honor, which is why I have raised my target to £500. I will be going round college with sponsor forms or you can donate through the link provided to my Just Giving Page here. 
 I'd love to thank everyone for their endless support. For my family, Fin and Merryn and Jeff. It really means the world to us all. Please join us in remembering Julia Hall for her heroism and bravery throughout her battle.