Sunday 27 October 2013

Sad and Happy

Thank you for the kind comments and messages after my last post. There's more sad news here this week, but hold on...don't go...
there is some truly joyous news too!

Our lovely Granny finally left us a few days ago. She had been sleeping most of the time since our last visit, and stopped eating and drinking. She was ready to go.

But she was singing the last words of the songs she could still hear being sung in the hospice and 
she had some ice cream the day she died. 
Go Granny.
 When I was 18 I went on my first visit to 'meet the parents' of the man who was already my soul mate and future husband. I can't remember why, but for some reason I was getting changed in the front room of their house. They lived on a busy road, but not one you often saw people walk along. 

Rather than shut the huge curtains in the bay window I stripped my top off - bra less, boobs well and truly out there 
(ah, they were the days!!) 
As I did so an old lady walked right past the window and got an absolute EYEful.

Of course a few minutes later there was a knock at the door and I was formally introduced to the same said 'old lady' - Cleggy's Grandma, who simply gave me a cheeky wink and no more was said!

I've been a bit short changed in the grandparent department (and the parents to be fair!) as all mine had died when I was much younger - so to gain a lovely Grandma in my life, who went on to love our children too, was a real treat. 
As the Scottish contingent pulled together and helped Grandma and Granny during these difficult few days Cleggy and I volunteered to clear out Granny's house. There was a tight time frame, it was difficult both logistically and emotionally - but an absolute pleasure to be able to help out. 
One photo that summed it up for me is this one
I never found out the story behind it - 
but for me it represents a life lived and loved.
We will all miss her.

So, we needed some cheering up - and it came in ABUNDANCE 
this weekend.

Two of our friends have suffered the tragedy of a life lost, both to cancer. Our friend Ruth lost her lovely husband Chris a few years ago and we have been full of admiration for the way she embraced the challenge of raising her three young children to become the gorgeous, well rounded young adults they are today.

Yesterday we were thrilled to be part of the celebrations - as Ruth married the new love of her life Simon. The wedding was in Manchester Art Gallery and was both beautiful and moving. We wish them all the love in the world for a happy life together and many more memory making adventures.
Another friend lost their little girl Lydia, aged 7, just last year. They had the same Oncologist as we had for Kenzie - and the knowledge that we could have lost our boy just as easily has made our admiration for them all the more poignant. 

They too have been a HUGE inspiration to everyone who knows them. 

On Thursday they welcomed a new addition to their family - a beautiful baby girl 
We can't wait to meet this little bundle of gorgeousness - and wish the whole family lots of love and happy times ahead. 
They really deserve it.
Fee x

12 comments:

  1. Fee what a wonderfully balanced post. I have so enjoyed reading it. The sad,the happy,the new,the old. And a smile along the way.
    In my family that always say as one generational door closes another opens. So as you say goodbye to Granny you welcome little Orla.
    I also recently heard that everyone has 2 deaths... The one when you physically die and the second,more poignant one I think is when there is no one left who remembers them. Well that is not going to happen for a long time with all your happy memories of Granny.
    Guess what ... The Grand Hotel in Torquay is about 8 miles away from us!

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  2. These are the things of life, aren't they, births, marriage, death! We all experience all three! Lovely to see two families getting joy after the sadness and as for great granny, there is something to be said for living life to the full for many, many years and being ready to go in the end!
    V xxx

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  3. I could not agree more with Vivienne's sentiments Fee, way to go granny. My darling Nan chose to go the night my son was born nearly 25 yars ago...we always say they just swapped places ;0) Sending you my very best wishes and I hope there is more joy than sadness for your family in the coming months. The one thing in this life of ours which is certain is change xx

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  4. Now you have me!.....sitting here tears slowly dropping off my nose onto the keyboard...birth life death eh??? what can you say...except enjoy every little moment of each day and count our blessings I do ...XXXXXX bestest to you and yours and cleggy today!
    daisy j x

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  5. We human beings are just amazing things ... we squeeze so much from so little ... and we hope, oh how we hope ... and we get through, and wonderful things happen and lives are lived well.

    Lovely post Fee, and don't go forgetting I owe you a few coffees x

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear your sad news lately, but what wonderful stories you have to tell too. Sending lots of virtual love xx

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  7. Gosh life is an emotional roller coaster for you at the moment, thank goodness for the happy parts to treasure and precious happy memories too xx

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  8. What an emotional roller-coaster, very moving to read. Wishing you all the best. Sarah xo

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  9. Really beautifully written and LOVE that photo of Grandma with Cleggy. Didn't know she had ice cream on her last day, that made me smile.
    Enjoy every second of Spain,love you xx

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  10. Oh Fee. What a week. Bless dear Granny. And sweet Orla. Hugs to you, my faraway friend. J x

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  11. Really sad we have to go and leave loved ones behind us but we must leave a space for the next little life ...musn't we? It is lovely to see your Granny has done this and I am so happy to hear she went so peasantly....I am sure this type of passing is what we will all wish for. I admire your sensitivity Fee and the beautiful way you have written this post comparing the sadness of saying goodbye to someone so dear and also the joy of a new life arriving. Well done dear...it's no easy thing to do when emotions are involved.
    Did I read you are off to Spain??? Where in Spain Fee? Anywhere near me?????????

    Fondest regards Fee to you and your family in these bitter sweet moments

    Amanda xx

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fee x