Dad shares heartbreaking post about the lessons he's learnt since losing his son

One dad whose three-year-old son died suffering a brain haemorrhage last year has shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook about the important lessons he's learned since the loss.

Grief is a powerful time for learning, and Richard Pringle has shared the valuable things he's learnt since losing little Hughie.

'Don't spend money, spend time,' he advises, in the post which has now gained nearly 2,000 shares and over twice as many reactions. 'You think what you spend matters? It doesn't. What you do matters. Jump in puddles, go for walks. Swim in the sea, build a camp and have fun. That's all they want. I can't remember what we bought Hughie I can only remember what we did.'

https://www.facebook.com/richard.pringle.9/posts/1641530662548391

He also preaches the importance of kissing goodbye, cherishing the simplest things – 'bedtimes, reading stories, lazy sundays' – and keeping a journal.

'Don't spend money, spend time. You think what you spend matters? It doesn't. What you do matters. Jump in puddles, go for walks. Swim in the sea, build a camp and have fun. That's all they want. I can't remember what we bought Hughie I can only remember what we did.'

Most of all, Richard stresses that as parents, you can never have too much love to give.

'You can never, ever, kiss and love too much,' he says. 'If you have your children with you, to kiss goodnight, to have breakfast with, to walk to school, to take to university, to watch get married – you are blessed. Never ever forget that.'

Hundreds have taken to the comments to express their gratitude for his 'inspirational' post and offer support and condolences.

'Such beautiful and touching words!' said one commenter. 'Thank you for reminding us that may take our blessings for granted! Thank you for sharing xxxx Hughie will continue to touch hearts through this dads beautiful words.'

Another wrote: 'Such wise words Richard....life is very precious and in a blink of an eye things sadly change ....much love to you all.'