We lost a good one yesterday. The definition of loyalty, resilience, grit, wrapped up in genuine kindness and an appreciation for life, despite its ups and downs. The kind of male role model the world lacks today. 52 years married, 1500 matches for Almondsbury C.C., 12 years battling cancer. Super proud dad, and more recently grandad. He spent a year on a cancer trial at the Royal Marsden, travelling for 2 days every week. He never left without his “Grandad to Bear and Leo” night shirt. His family gave him strength and fight to continue. Right to the end.
It’s been a privilege to be your son-in-law Mike. Even if you were a Bears fan. Rest in peace, you deserve it. Go play with Maddie amongst the stars.
Honoured to run the @bathhalf for @ruhxcharity today. The Royal United Hospital in Bath is doing so much for our family and Hannah’s parents right now; we couldn’t be more grateful for their support, kindness, expertise through a challenging phase of life. It’s a pleasure to do a small bit in return. And amazing to have my mini cheer squad in support. Thanks to my son, incredible wife and @graceefreemann for organising a brilliant home made medal and celebration lunch! Great day.
If anyone wanted to donate as well, link is in my bio or on my story.
Leo Joshua Richard Belsham, born 10/27/23, 12.29pm 8lb 7oz
Our little miracle baby, entered our lives with true gusto like the Scorpio 🦂he is. So far a solid eater and a better sleeper than his big brother (🤞), but it’s already clear he is the glue that completes our little family. A 🐻, a 🦁, a couple of 🐶 and two proud as punch parents. Thank you again to the whole team at @lenoxhillhospitalnyc for their incredible care.
I continue to be in complete awe of my incredible wife. After 2.5 years of pre and post and pre partum again, Hannah continues to be a force that makes amazing things happen. Nothing in a man’s life comes anywhere close to the mental and physical experiences mothers have to go through. That said our matriarch now has her biggest challenge yet - keeping 3 boys in-line 👦👶👶
Bear flips between intrigue and indifference. But is so far handling it like a champ. And we are all learning to be a family of 4, with all the blissful exhaustion that entails (as any parent with 2 under 2 (and an incontinent dog) can understand).
They say it’s easy to overestimate what you can achieve in a year, and underestimate what you can achieve in a decade. I’ve been thinking about this last point a lot. 6 years ago I was at my lowest, having lost my job, (I thought my career), my relationship, I didn’t know how I’d pay my mortgage in London and my thoughts about the future were pretty bleak. I never in my dreams imagined that 6 years later I would have my family, life, love and the experiences that I do. I’m so grateful for this journey. The lows of life make the highs worth fighting for 🙏
📸: @bellababyphotos
Throwback to a couple weeks ago for Bear’s first birthday and christening. Moments we’ll never forget. So grateful for dear friends, family, sunny days, but most especially my incredible wife @hwebley . The efforts you make for us day in and day out are mind blowing. I don’t know how you do it. So grateful to be riding these 🌊 of life with you ❤️👶🏡🎂
#firstbirthday #christening
Farewell 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣. You started strongly and had some great moments, not least a giant one wrapped in a tiny 🐻 👶 shaped package.
But you also have stretched mine and Hannah’s mental health to the limit. Aside from trying to work out what the heck we’re doing as parents 👪, we’ve dealt with serious family health issues 🩺, started a business in the worst economy 💵 in decades, tried to split our lives across continents 🇺🇸🇬🇧combined with months of sleep deprivation (aka torture) courtesy of the bear cub. All on top of the toll that we’ve all experienced from war 🇺🇦, inflation, financial uncertainty and political instability in the world. It’s been a very grounding and humbling year.
But we made it. And here we are Day 1️⃣ of a new blank canvas 📋. We have our friends, family, health and an heir (if not hair). And a lot of experience to fallback on. Older, wiser, stronger from the challenges we faced. And enormous gratitude for what we have. 2023, let’s write some more great stories.
“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again” - Buddha
Some days are just magical ✨🎄🎅🧑🎄
My wife manifested snow (again) ❄️ So happy to be back home for the holidays, especially for the little man’s first Christmas. Wishing (moments of) peace and joy for everyone the next few weeks 🎄🎅
In honour of his mother’s first birthday as a mum, little Bear learnt to play a well known composition. I believe he could be Mozart in the making.
Happy Birthday to my incredible gorgeous wife, parenthood-support-partner, best friend and every day inspiration @hwebley . So proud of our little family. I love you ❤️
