Brendan Cox says he has been reminded 'the world is still full of good people' after an 'outpouring of kindness'
The 39-year-old, spent Christmas with his children Cuillin, six, and four-year-old Leijla
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox has been reminded “the world is still full of good people” after an “outpouring of kindness”, following a Christmas Eve tweet.
Brendan Cox was inundated with messages after he took to the social media site on Christmas Eve
"I’d encourage everyone to take a moment to imagine losing the person you love most in the world. Imagine what you would wish you had said to them. Then take a moment to say it,” he wrote.
The post was shared 16,000 times and liked by more than 47,000 people. Many people also shared their own stories of bidding farewell to a loved one during the Christmas period.
Mr Cox was clearly surprised that his post had met with such a positive response.
"Wasn’t at all expecting this outpouring of kindness to me or to each other in this thread," he wrote in a second tweet. "A lovely reminder at the end of the year that bad shit happens but the world is still full of good people."
The 39-year-old, spent Christmas with his children Cuillin, six, and four-year-old Leijla, the second since his wife and their mother was murdered by right wing extremist Thomas Mair. The MP for Batley and Spen was walking through Birstall, when Mair shot and stabbed her in broad daylight.
After Mr Cox's original tweet hundreds or people responded on Twitter.
Mark Edgerton wrote: “Lovely thought, Brendan. Having lost several loved ones in my lifetime, l know the power in keeping their memory alive, and in chatting away to them regularly, as if they were still here. Keeps me sane, in an increasingly mad, mad world. My thoughts are with you and your family.”
Other users shared similar messages of love and loss.
“I lost my loved one six months ago. I want you to know that whatever you think was not said by you to Jo (that’s the name of my late husband too) as she was taken from you so cruelly, she knew it all anyway, she knew you and your kids were her world and she was so loved. Rosie x”.
“Beautifully put. My brother Michael died on Christmas Day 1978 when I was 12 & he was 17. I understand completely what you mean. Sending you all love. Nik, Phil, Lizzy & Emily. Xx,” Nicky Clarke added.
“I lost my Daughter in April 2015, the pain is unbearable, my only child. Your wife was an amazing human being as is her legacy. You’re an inspiration,” said another.
Mr Cox recently spoke out about difficult it is to bring up children as a single parent ahead of his second Christmas without his wife.
“Jo and I often talked about single parents and how much we admired them and how hard it must be. And it is, basically. It’s shit,” he told The Sun. “It’s those little things like, ‘Does Lejla have a cough or has she got pneumonia? Is this bump supposed to be there? Are the kids getting on okay at school?’ All judgments you have to take as a parent that are all entirely on you.”
Mr Cox, who has often called on Britain to unite against hatred in the wake of his wife’s tragic death, added: “They’re very good with me. They frequently ask me how I’m doing. They’re just incredibly loving kids.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments