When?

When will this winter of snow and colds and phlegm end?

I have just had some lovely visitors to stay - my cousin and his wife on my father's side of the family. And, what a wonderful visit it was. Catching up on the missing years, remembering when we knew each other before, when we were very young and the scariest hairstyles from the past! The time went so quickly, but we won't lose touch again, and there is a big family party planned for late summer, when my children can be introduced to their heritage, some of which is very interesting, and posher than I had thought - (London) Kensington roots, instead of Hackney for one. It still appears that the 'craft' side of my talents are from my mother's side, though.

On my mother's side, I went down to England for the scattering of my aunt and uncle's ashes last weekend. I travelled down by train and, it was just on the last leg that I really began to think of what I was going for. My cousin had asked us to think about what we might like to say, and I jotted down a few words, thus;

'Moreen and John, we've all been unsettled these last few months, since losing you both. You are much loved and missed so very much.

Your legacy - a warm and welcoming family, are testement to the long lasting, committed marriage you had, and would have celebrated with your Golden Wedding, this weekend.

A perfect time for us to all tell you, this last Goodbye'

There then followed a week where I suffered a bronchial virus, and am still feeling quite unwell. However, we had our NBG and Lolly-dollypop to stay over on Saturday night. And, while NBG was doing some sewing, LPD was very busy with her cooking on Sunday morning,

Like others in my family, I have been a bit depressed since Moreen and John, and then uncle Ralph died last year. But, this varied and colourful week I've just had has shown me that yes, people do die and we miss and mourn them; but we do have that past, the precious present and the very important future.