I have been lucky enough in my life not to lose anyone that I was really close to.
Apart from my grandparents, who passed away in old age, I can thankfully say that my immediate family and all of my good friends are still here with me.
Death is the one thing that doesn't grow easier with age and I can only hope that I am strong enough to deal with the inevitable when it eventually happens. One example to me - and someone who I will always respect for their incredible bravery - is my brother, who last week lost his best friend of 30 years, Julian.
Julian was one of the most generous and warm-hearted people I had ever met and my brother's love for him knew no bounds; so much so that he ended up marrying Julian's older sister and became his brother-in-law.
It may seemed clichéd to say this of someone who has recently passed away, but Julian really was the definition of lovely. He possessed an energy like no other - forever sociable and wanting to talk, he was the one person you hoped would be at the party and the one person you could rely on to make everyone feel at ease.
I have believed in the power of positive energy for some time and Julian's presence is testimony to that great teaching. Always smiling, always personable, he gave off such light that in turn he attracted a wealth of beautiful things in life: his gorgeous and intelligent wife, with whom he had two amazing children that he cared for like mad. He was also one of the most intelligent people I have ever met and was a highly successful lawyer. On top of which, and to complete the package, he was, undoubtedly, very handsome.
Yet being such a source of happiness to everyone and having attracted so many great things, Julian was recently forced to battle a brain tumour - and it was a battle that he eventually lost.
Death is always terrible, but when it happens so soon to one who had so much to offer, it really begs the question of why? Why was he taken from his adoring family and how are they ever expected to recover?
At his funeral there must have been a thousand people, which gives some indication of just how popular Julian was. My brother was given the task of delivering a eulogy; a duty that Julian had hoped to help him with.
In the weeks leading up to his death he had asked my brother if he could work with him in writing a speech that would convey his humorous side, unfortunately, he passed away too soon. A successful barrister himself, my brother rose to the occasion and prepared a eulogy that would have made his best friend proud.
His delivery was perfect and his composure was a final mark of respect and strength on behalf of his good friend. Despite how difficult it must have been for him, he also managed to incorporate some humour. I applaud him for his efforts and ability to communicate the very essence of Julian's character, I have memories of those two boys teasing me when I was 12 years old and I will forever cherish them and hold them close to my heart.
Life is stressful and we are all so busy that we often don't have the time to visit the people we love. Since moving to Somerset, I know that has definitely been the case for me - the three hour car journey back to London often seems too much and it's oh so tempting to stay at home.
But looking at Daisy, my brothers and my parents at the funeral, I realised that I must cherish every moment I have with those that I love and do everything within my power to let them know that I care.