COLUMN: Jo Cox's death reminds us to treasure loved ones

I am not a political commentator and wouldn’t normally talk about politics as quite honestly I don’t know enough about the topic, but Jo Cox’s death transcends politics.

It does this because as well as an MP she was a much loved wife, mum, daughter, sister, friend, colleague: the list goes on. Tributes flooded from everyone who knew her and although I never met her she sounds like an extraordinary woman. A Yorkshire girl who did good and one we should be proud of.

Whatever your view on politicians and whichever party you support, the fact is that Jo went to work that morning like we all do and very sadly didn’t return home.

As a mum of two young children who are a similar age to Jo Cox’s this tragedy has really struck a chord. I found out she had died via social media as I was bathing my children and doing their usual bedtime routine. A routine that perhaps she had planned to do that evening but that was so cruelly taken away from her. Later that evening as I put my children to bed and watched their innocent faces as they slept I began crying as I thought of Jo Cox’s children and the emotions her family and friends must have been feeling.

As my mind worked overtime I began to think of what ifs and as much as I tried to not let my mind think such thoughts it inevitably did so. On the day Jo Cox died I was feeling particularly sleep deprived and by my own admission selfishly couldn’t wait to get home from work and for my kids to get to bed so I could catch up on some sleep. I took for granted the fact I was going to spend all of the following day making memories with my two children and that tomorrow was even going to come.

We all lead such busy lives and take things for granted. Jo Cox’s desperately sad death has given me a reality check and made me realise life is short, we have to make the most of each day and not spend it wishing for tomorrow to come. Her husband Brendan issued a statement stating that he and Jo’s family and friends would work every moment of their lives to nurture their children and that she would have wanted them to be bathed in love. Such poignant and inspiring words. I am sure Jo Cox’s political legacy will continue and personally in honour of her I will ensure I make the most of every day and treasure each minute spent with my loved ones as we really never know when it could be taken away.