Eternal Refuge

Yesterday I drove to Nick & Brenda's to have lunch with them to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary.

We had a nice lunch, with a couple who are close friends from Church, then back to their house for the photos.  Brenda and I also had a great walk before I headed back home.  A great day, that I really enjoyed.

Sadly Tim & Claire were busy, as were her siblings ... although more sadly her Dad had a stroke last wek.  So I was the only one there, but I wouldn;t have missed it for anything.

23/05/1992-


25 years on-



( And a few of the family )

I am being a good girl, photos yesterday, photo today.  Just sitting catching up with Instagram before I head to Church and saw this super photo of my 4 nephews taken yesterday -


Tom (17), Dan (19), Andrew (21) and Joe (14)

10 days on and I am getting round to writing a bit about dad's funeral.. Like with Mum we all took part, with the 4 boys doing the readings.

Tom started proceedings with this ...

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
And each time you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand.
That God came and called my name and took me by the hand.

He said my place is ready in heaven for above,
And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I'd always thought it wasn't my time to die.

I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
It seems almost impossible that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.

If I could have stayed for just a little while,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realize that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven's gate and felt so much at home,
As God looked down and smiled at me form his great golden throne.

He said this is eternity and all I've promised you,
Today your life on earth is past but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow but today will always last,
And since each day's the same here there's no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me I'm right here in your heart.
        By: Jamie Leigh Dale

Tim was actually leading the service, but Tom started first.  We had 3 hymns that Dad chose years ago as well as Dan and Tom doing Bible readings.  Again Nick asked me and I knew what Dad's favourite chapters were .... 1 John 1 and Revelation 21.  The final reading the boys did was this poem read by Joe ...

The Broken Chain

We little knew the day that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
      by Ron Tranmer


Nick chose one poem, and Tim the other ... and they just fitted in so well for my daddy

I thought I would post this picture of the family taken at Nick's 50th.  Sadly I couldn't get there as I was too ill .... maybe that is what caused some of the upset, but at the time it took me all my strength to drive the 2 miles to dad, rather than the 150 to Nick.

( Anyway - here they are ...  )

As I said Nick, Brenda and the boys came for Saturday lunch (and a few hours) ... so thought I would share a few pictures to catch you up with what they are like now ....

( Family )

Yes, it was a good time.  Brenda and I managed not to poison anyone.  It was just a relaxing family day ... although there were a few tears choked while we listened to a recording of them taking their vows, especially as Dad was the person who married them.

Anyway, here are a few of the family photos - ( Happy Families )

So much for keeping in touch - the last week has gone, I have missed birthdays, I have missed your news - I am a poor friend.

Anyway - it was Mum's birthday over the weekend, which was good.  She is not emotionally very well at all - Having suffered from nervous problems all her life the last few months has really taken it's toll.  Still on the Sunday she had Nick & Brenda come over in the afternoon ... and what she didn't know is that they were also going to bring the 4 boys.  So that was a real treat for her.  A lovely afternoon was had by us all.

For me it was a bit hectic as I drove to Exeter (30 minute drive) to collect Claire from the hospital and take her home (their car is very low-slung) ... it was great to see her getting home, all be it very wobbly.  I went round Monday morning, as well, and she was already a little stronger.

New fridge-freezer arrived Monday afternoon, as my last one died.  Now I have a new shiny "empty" appliance ... can't afford to put food in it, now I have paid for it ... LOL

I was able to get to Bible Study on Tuesday ... we are now starting the book of Revelation.  I always find those evenings fascinating as the rest are Filipino, ex-Catholics ... so their Bible teaching and heritage is so different to mine.  We have great evenings, and I always come out feeling blessed.

So - what have I missed?  I hope if there is any news you will let me know.

*hugs*

PS - just had to use the new icon I made ... I amused myself, even though I haven't a clue what the dots say ... so hope it's nothing rude!  I must get some more icons made.

It was lovely on Saturday to take Mum, Dad & Jiffy to Nick & Brenda's for the day. We had a great time. We had planned to go at the end of the summer, but what I haven't told you all is that my brother lost his job ... so things were very tense then. He is still out of work, but I am pleased to say he is more relaxed than I expected ... I do worry about him as he is an over-weight smoker ... and we have a history of Strokes in the family. So it was good to see him more relaxed than I expected ....( Dinner time )

One thing I do want to share for the non-Brits is Torville & Dean. We had a big BBC fund raiser on Friday night and Torville & Dean and arranged to dance with 2 of the pros from Strictly Come Dancing ... Amazing.




And, last but not least, Happy Birthday, today crimson_newmoon

We had a wonderful day on Saturday ... the food went well, everyone made the effort to spend time with M&D (including the younger boys) ... and even the weather behave do we could get some pictures outside.

All in all Mum & Dad felt that it was lovely, so that was the main thing.

Nick got the 4 boys to read out some facts about 1952 and 2012, and Andrew said a prayer of dedication, as well as the 4 of them singing a hymn -

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.

That truly made M&D's day.

Tim read an inspirational story about faith, and both Mum and Dad talked about some of the "weird" family history.

They loved the vase, and later admitted they were glad we had done it.  We had all bought plants for the garden as extra gifts, and I had also had a tree planted in Northamptonshire (the county they married in), as there are some re-planting programmes going on at present.  It is a field maple, which is a native to England, but has a family link as Mum's Mum was actually born in Canada.

Anyway, words can't really sum up the day - just to say it went really well - and here are a few of the family pictures from the day -

( Here is the rabble )