It's been a beautiful day today on our peninsula down here in West Cork.
Thank you all so much for your heartfelt comments at the parting of my children's motherand my beloved wife.
The funeral service was so beautiful and the Canon conducted it with such skill and kindness and he read our Eulogies. One wrote by myself and one by our youngest son.
We had traditional hymns like All Things Beautiful and The Day Though Gavest Has Ended and I chose some popular music favourites by Paloma Faith, Chris De Burgh, Heart, The Beautiful South and Whitney Houston. There was a lot of tears shed that service, mine included.
I not only lost my wife I lost my friend and chauffeur and fellow carboot sale Womble. It's difficult getting to town with a very limited Local Link bus service on a Tuesday and Thursday which went last Thursday through the flooded boreens and twenty odd miles picking up four of us. It cost me 6 Euros including the return fare. Thankfully the return journey is less than six miles home.
I have got back into walking again. The Saturday after the funeral I visited J's grave and walked thirteen miles via Durrus and back home.
I am also reading a book by CS Lewis called A Grief Observed. It's brilliant and only cost me 74 Cents to download on Kindle.
The last month is probably the hardest month of my life and I like all of us have been through some very difficult times. I don't know why God took my wife. I know she wouldn't want to be separated from us. I had nearly thirty one years of happily married life and she gave me two wonderful sons.
Thanks again.
It's my birthday today and it is a fine gift - to have you back in the blogosphere - coming up for air after the dark days you have endured. There was a static camera video of the funeral service and I managed to watch it. So very sad to lose your darling Jean but I am sure that she would have wanted you to lift your chin up and get on with living Dave.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday YP. It was a beautiful service. Thanks for watching it and your very kind comment.
DeleteAh Dave. It is good to hear from you. It must be hard to accept that a beloved soul mate has been taken from you so unfairly.
ReplyDeleteYou have your wonderful sons and, I imagine, many friends and family to look out for you. I am glad that you have found some solace in your walking and reading, and wish that I could give you a friendly warm hug xx
You are such a lovely lady and blog friend JayCee. We definitely felt the love of so many wonderful people.
DeleteDave I can't imagine how difficult it must be to continue. I hope you find the will to keep on blogging. You're a dear friend now and we need to hear what you're doing, how you're faring.
ReplyDeleteKeep on blogging and walking and listening to your music.
Not everyone loves but everyone grieves Linda. Myself and Jean are on different roads now but I still feel her love. Thanks again Linda.
Deleteoh Dave that brought me to tears, but so pleased to read from you again. I'd been wondering a few days ago how yu were getting along and whether you'd ever pick up blogging again. My spuds were starting to come up and there aren't many people who celebrate stuff like that. The walking sounds like a great way to process stuff.
ReplyDeleteSpud photos please TM. Walking is great catharsis and a hot whisky at night and some good music make the tears flow. Thanks.
DeleteSo pleased to hear from you, I have hoped you are OK, many times you have been in my thoughts, i hope you are able to engage in your blog again, I do enjoy your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marlene. We have some wonderful blog friends on here.
DeleteC S Lewis's book on grief is a beautiful book. His words will be your guide through this Dave. A help anyway. I am glad the Canon was good to you all and you have been out walking again and written this blog post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel. I remember you mentioning the book before. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteOh, Dave. I can't begin to imagine the pain of your loss. Sending love to you and your sons as you navigate your grief. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt's awful Jules. The silence can be deafening. Sadly grieving is a road we must all travel. Thanks Jules.
DeleteOh I’m so sorry for your loss. Let yourself take the time you need to grieve. I’m sure she is smiling down on you all and sending her love right back to you.
ReplyDeleteI hope to see her again one day Angela. If only for a few minutes. Thank you.
DeleteGood to hear from you again... Walking is good. It helps xx
ReplyDeleteThanks GZ. I walk the path of grief that you have travelled so recently. Walking does clear the mental fog.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see you back. Your family has been in my thoughts. Grief is a difficult journey, and it is different for everyone, but no great love is lost without great grief. . CS Lewis is a moving story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby. I have watched Shadowlands twenty five times. When I read anything by C S Lewis it feels like he is in the room talking to me. I see Rush are getting a new drummer and keyboard player. I would love to see them play again.
DeleteGlad to hear from you again Dave. I'd come to the site regularly, and have held you in my thoughts as you travel that road that is so achingly lonely, even with a supportive family and friends. This winter will be the worst, so do try to do things that make you feel some relief. If that's car-boot sales, or visiting familiar places, do it. .Grief is the price of loving, but that doesn't make it any easier.
ReplyDeleteXX Virginia
Your heartfelt last sentence sums grief up Virginia. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog, but have never commented before. I was very sorry to read that your dear wife had died and send my condolences to you and your sons. God bless J, you and all your family
ReplyDeleteThanks your kind words and for reading my posts Debbie William's.
ReplyDeleteMy hope is that the natural beauty of West Cork and especially the Beara peninsula will help ease your grief eventually. You could not be in a more soothing and awe inspiring place.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sabine. We can see Beara from our kitchen and garden. It's beautiful scenery when the weather is kind. Thanks again Sabine.
ReplyDelete