This time of waiting is now over, as I and my brother and sisters said a final goodbye to our Mum who’d fought a 6-month battle against relapsed cancer, just as my career break ends and I re-start work back at my employer tomorrow.
As I look through the window, the sun is shining, it’s a beautiful blue sky, Spring is on the way, and I am reminding myself to be thankful and count so many blessings, not least that over this career break year I’ve been able to spend alot of unexpected time with her and her partner at Tile Croft, their home, which already carries so many great memories of such happy extended family times. And I’m going to do that ever-lovely, comfortingly-familiar drive again today with siblings, from Harrogate across past Skipton, Pendle Hill, spring flowers and lambs, and into the Ribble Valley, to continue to be connected in that place, as we start the inevitable admin and plan the funeral etc.
In the shadow of Coronavirus, my Dad was able to be moved as planned (the culmination of a many years with dementia ‘journey’ for him, my Step-Mum, and the family) from a temporary place in another town back ‘home’ to a Harrogate care home yesterday, on the day that the temporary place imposed ‘no visitor’ restrictions, and following Italy’s, wider lock-down is being discussed nationally.
This period also saw me establish my own house here, and building work started 2 days ago to improve it in various ways, so I have been kept busy all in all.
Well 2020? The challenge for me is to continue to keep alive joy, whilst I keep restrained and in perspective underlying sadness. I’ve recorded it here because it is part of my journey, shared with dear family and friends who are still alongside, and my Mum, Judith, who has just departed.
Wedding Finery
Surprising, short-lived remission – Christmas 2019
Judith 10/7/1938 – 10/3/2020
So missed already
Rest in peace