Ahoy there, sailor

This week was another trip to Scotland for a sad occasion. My cousin Helen’s husband, Brian, passed away on 8th October. Brian had faced many health challenges over the last 30 years, and whilst both he and his family shared moments of anguish, these were met with stoical fortitude, humour, love and support. Brian ‘Andy’Continue reading “Ahoy there, sailor”

Scotland bound

After a busy few days we made the trip to Scotland on Thursday for my cousin Brian’s funeral. He was only 63, always a part of my life. I remember spending so much of my childhood with him and his siblings. Those bonds with all my cousins remain today. In adult years with marriage andContinue reading “Scotland bound”

August 2024

These past 3 weeks have been busy. Busy prepping for a mini family celebration. Busy catching up with Amanda, Drew and Ramsay Busy having Mum stay Busy looking forward to doing Christmas by the end of October Busy planning what to do in Morocco Busy keeping most of November and December free We’ve also hadContinue reading “August 2024”

Two weeks with fancy footwork

What a fortnight of food, football and dancing. And walking too. Just before I left for Scotland the saddest news that Marion, Kevin’s step Mum, had died. She was a formidable woman who faced so many challenges in her life. She rose to each challenge and was also a great support and comfort to allContinue reading “Two weeks with fancy footwork”

2021 …..

With 2022 almost upon us, time to reflect on, for me personally and us as a family, what a year 2021 has been. The challenges, as for many others, have been multifarious, each with their own mini challenges within. We have been through a whole gamut of emotions: disbelief, shock, anger, surprise, grief, sadness, helplessness,Continue reading “2021 …..”

So much to do and so little time

The car went in for a MOT two weeks ago, which was all good, and due to a semi conductor shortage we are unable to get our new car for another six months, but that should make it even more worthwhile when it arrives. We travelled back to Scotland again and it is good toContinue reading “So much to do and so little time”

Grief and the passing of time

The last two weeks have passed so quickly and I have been busy-perhaps too busy. Dad’s funeral was lovely, the sun shone, people came from afar and we feel we gave him the send off he deserved. I wrote and read the eulogy which hopefully had the right mix of humour, pride and love expressed.Continue reading “Grief and the passing of time”

A whirlwind week

This is my first experience of arranging a funeral and thanks to Dad and his comprehensive list, a wonderful funeral director and priest it has not been as hard as I had expected on a practical level. Elaine, Mum and myself have broken things down into manageable chunks and each day have achieved something. MyContinue reading “A whirlwind week”

Winning the lottery.

Our beloved Dad was taken into hospital on Wednesday after becoming very poorly and Elaine and I travelled up as soon as we could but Dad succumbed to the many conditions he suffered with and died in the early hours of Thursday morning, as he had lived, with dignity, quietly without fuss. This was howContinue reading “Winning the lottery.”