Having a diary is a common thing and it allows you to compile your daily routine into a single place. Diary becomes more important if you are an animator and that’s what Gary Andrews started doing when he turned 54.

Andrews, the father of two and a happily married man, started documenting the joys of his life with his family. A tragedy stroke Andrew as his wife died in the span of just 3 years after he started writing his doodle diary. Gary was on a trip to Canada when his wife Joy fell ill. Later it was revealed that it was more than just a fever. So, Gary rushed back to his home to see his better half. As soon as Gary reached the UK, he was informed that Joy passed away due to sepsis.

This news shell-shocked Andrews completely and he didn’t understand how to respond to the departure of Joy. When Andrews couldn’t control his emotions, he opened his notebook and poured his whole heart into the words. While giving an interview to Daily Mail, Gary said that he was crying so hard that he was not able to focus on the page.

Gary said that Joy was with him for 19 years and that she was very generous and kind. They did everything together and when she passed away, Gary felt that he was half-dead.

For a couple of years, Gary recorded all of his sorrows in the doodle diary. Every up and down were noted in the diary. Putting all his feelings and emotions on the paper helped him bear this grieved process. Joy was an ever-present part of his diary and Gary also described the joy and fun of his children.

Sepsis, the disease which killed Joy, is a serious killer and Gary raised awareness about this disease. The symptoms of sepsis include fever, dizziness, and sickness, Doctors often linked these symptoms to a normal fever but the disease is diagnosed often too late. And if the disease is diagnosed in early stages, it can easily be treated with a simple antibiotic.

However, Andrews did not blame anyone for Joy’s death and said that he was very unlucky with Joy’s disease. When Joy got admitted to the hospital, doctors tried their best to diagnose the disease. Doctors couldn’t do more until the post-mortem report revealed the disease. He further said that blaming doctors would not bring Joy back. He adds that he does not take into account these things as everyone’s fate is already written.

Strictly was the favorite program of Joy and Lile, said Gary and while both of them were watching it, sitting in the corner reading a book, making sarcastic comments on them while watching their son Ben. And after the first Saturday without Joy, Gary took her seat and watched the show with their children Lily and Ben because that what he thought Joy would have wanted me to do.

While giving an interview, Gary said, now he needs to step up as Ben and Lile lost the most important person in their life and he would try my best to fill the gap left by Joy. Being an adult, Gary said he looks back and realize that what a big dilemma it was to lose Joy but as a child, you cry but do not live in the past.

Gary adds that life moves on, and although they have shed a lot of tears for Joy, they’ve also accepted reality. The last chapter closed with four people and the new one started with only three of them.

Gary’s drawings include his late wife Joy, 10-year old Lily and 7-year old Ben. The first time he started his doodle diary was on his 54th birthday. Gary was a happy married man and at that time and he the diary’s content were humorous and full of fun. But today his diary presents a completely different story. A story of a man who is heartbroken and is trying to fill the gap of his wife.

After the departure of his soul mate, Gary composed a doodle to express his daily routine without Joy. The following were his famous pages of the diary.

It makes me melt a little inside every time. They have always been like it… siblings and best friends. I am so lucky. #doodkeaday #widowerlife #siblinglove pic.twitter.com/F6fwJWceAr

— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) May 8, 2018

Roasting myself alive whilst the kids have a water fight! #doodleaday #widowerlife #greatoutdoors pic.twitter.com/43ibbVFbPS

— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) May 7, 2018

There are good days and there are bad days. That was a GOOD day. #doodleaday #widowerlife #ShakespeareSunday pic.twitter.com/YHKZDdAJIm

— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) May 7, 2018

We planted this with her ashes in a park near us back in January. First time I have visited since and was worried I would be upset – but actually felt very calm and close to her. Kids were fine too. The love we still feel sustains us all. #doodleaday #widowerlife. pic.twitter.com/R7B2pAQwqj

— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) May 5, 2018