My dearest daughter Dallas collapsed without warning whilst taking part in the parents’ race during her daughter’s school sports day in March 2008. CPR was administered at the scene but despite a mammoth effort to recover she sadly passed away three months later.  No explanation or cause was ever diagnosed and two years down the line we are non the wiser with many, many questions still unanswered. Indications are that Dallas suffered from an irregular hearbeat which had remained undetected and the effort of the race, together with the excitement and heat of the day culminated in her collapse. We will never know, but if all children are screened as a matter of course perhaps some of these conditions could be picked up, and steps taken and tragedy averted.

I cannot try and explain how our lives have been turned upside down since my baby left us. Those who have also lost loved ones possibly have some idea. I miss her and I dedicate the verses below to her.

 '

DILLY-DOO'

I try not to get bitter or angry Dilly-Doo

I try not to ask him WHY, or WHY YOU

I still say my prayers every night Dilly-Doo

But it’s hard to keep trying without you

 

Your passing has left such a void Dilly-Doo

The pain is so physical and it destroys

So we take one day at a time Dilly-Doo

But it gets harder to keep things in line

 

I try to find comfort with thoughts each night Dilly-Doo

You have been chosen by above for a better life

I should be happy and proud for you Dilly-Doo

Your goodness and kindness has shone through

 

Two long, sad years have gone by Dilly-Doo

And so much has happened in our lives

Emies and Jo are expecting baby twins Dilly-Doo

Could this gift be in retribution for taking you?

 

Nannon helps with the garden we made you Dilly-Doo

She chats away and asks lots of questions of you

She’s trying to find a reason for your passing Dilly-Doo

Trying to understand what and why this happened to you

 

Missy Elliot is a replica of you Dilly-Doo

Except for the colour of her hair she is YOU !

You probably know that already don’t you Dilly-Doo?

Watching over her as you’ll always do

 

My big boy Tank is growing so fast Dilly-Doo

He also ends his words with an ‘n’ - so cute!

I bet you’re so proud of your babies Dilly-Doo

You’re their Guardian Angel aren’t you?

 

You gave them so much of yourself Dilly-Doo

They talk about you all of the time

When I’m down in the dumps and in a bad place Dilly-Doo

I kick myself and think of the suffering they have faced

 

They are so selfless – how have they coped Dilly-Doo?

All your love and devotion just snatched away

All you did was run in a parents’ race at the school Dilly-Doo

Which Olympic record were you trying to break? Typical you!!

 

The gigantic effort you made to get well Dilly-Doo

Such miracles performed by you

Sheer spirit and determination couldn’t pull you through Dilly-Doo

Higher powers had bigger things in store for you

 

Were you in any pain or were you frightened Dilly-Doo?

Did you understand what was happening to you?

Are your babies at risk from the same Dilly-Doo?

Are you happy, are you enjoying, are you OK?

 

All these questions still have to be answered Dilly-Doo

Only you alone can tell us the truth

It will not change the terrible outcome I know Dilly-Doo

But it may ease the pain just a little

 

You always gave a hundred percent Dilly-Doo

Self-pity and negativity you never tolerated

Your words ‘Oh dry your eyes’ spin around in my head Dilly-Doo

When having to face situations I dread

 

You were so strong and you were always smiling Dilly-Doo

Lisa described you as a light, constantly shining

I’m sorry but try to understand how I feel Dilly-Doo

We were the three musketeers, now we are two

 

Memories of all our adventures Dilly-Doo,

Come flooding back at the smallest of triggers

Bob Marley, Johann Strauss, Pat Kirk’s Dancing School Dilly-Doo

Autumn colours, Gods Must be Crazy, Crocodile Dundee too

 

You used to say Sting was so boring Dilly-Doo

Remember when I came home from work one morning?

Soul Cages was blasting from your bedroom Dilly-Doo?

I was so chuffed because I thought I had you converted

 

That memory rolls into another Dilly-Doo

You danced to Sting’s songs in Ballet in the Park

‘Fields of Gold’ and ‘Nothin ‘bout Me’ Dilly-Doo

I loved watching you perform – you were a star!

 

Hours and hours spent sewing your costumes Dilly-Doo

Zalda and I sneaking wine into rehearsals

Emies mimicking all of the dancers Dilly-Doo

How we all used to roar with laughter

 

Emies took his family on holiday to Spain Dilly-Doo

And was purring to himself on the slides

When you flew down the rides at great speed Dilly-Doo

The two of you causing havoc at the beach

 

He tells Jo’s family about your games in Durban Dilly-Doo

Ducking under the waves in the sea

Throwing wet sand at unsuspecting bathers Dilly-Doo

Then diving back under the water before you’re seen

 

 

Now people must think that was naughty Dilly-Doo

And to a certain degree that is true

But when Emies does all the actions Dilly-Doo

I have to admit it’s a hoot

 

 Thinking of the all the fun we used to have Dilly-Doo

All the fancy dress outfits we made

Your ‘Robba Lady’, your loyalty and devotion Dilly-Doo

Did you have to go and leave us so sad?

 

KJ laughs when he recalls the day at Fat Albert’s Dilly-Doo

When you were all playing rugby by the pool

You booted that ball so hard Dilly-Doo

It knocked Fat Albert off his feet as if he were card

 

I hang on to the belief we’ll meet again Dilly-Doo

That we’ve not lost you forever – just for a while

But on bad days my faith sometimes falters Dilly-Doo

You’re a better person than me by miles

 

Will we move in the same circles next time Dilly-Doo?

I might be downstairs having to start over again

By the time I have worked myself up Dilly-Doo

You will be so far ahead – that’s why I’m afraid

 

We all try to go on and to smile Dilly-Doo

Our thoughts never leave you not even for a while

How lucky we are to have known you Dilly-Doo

To hug you and kiss you and just be with you

 

I wake up each day thinking it’s a terrible dream Dilly-Doo

I’ll feel better when I phone you and we can speak

I’ll tell you I’ve had a warning, you must take care Dilly-Doo

Then I recall what we’ve been through and I weep

I weep for Jay, for the Bishops, and all your friends Dilly-Doo

For your Brother who puts on a brave face

For Beth and Tank who have shown us the way forward Dilly-Doo

For Tan and Adrie, Roy and Jackie and for your Dad

 

So here we are back to square one Dilly-Doo

This desolation has only just begun

I try not to be selfish; I try to be good Dilly-Doo

So You can be proud of me as I am of you

 

God bless you my darling, we love you.

 

Afra Bishop 1977 - 2008

Her children are doing fantastically well thanks to the love and support of Jay their Dad, Kirsty their aunt and  Kath and Keith Bishop, Jay's parents all in Zimbabwe. 

 We are raising money for C-R-Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young) by holding the Dallas Bishop Memorial Cricket Day in September at Chard Cricket Club in Somerset where Emlyn, Dallas's brother plays his cricket. Dallas loved to watch her brother play sport and took great pride in his sporting achievements - Emlyn therefore felt that a sporting event is the most appropriate way for him to honour his sister's memory.  

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