Flying visit to Bristol - Saying goodbye to Dad
It was clear to me that I needed and wanted to go home this week, to see Dad and to say Goodbye to him. There is something about your body and your brain and heart all understanding that someone has gone. Luckily I had Monday and Tues this week booked as holiday (I was going for a spa break!), so just bought plane tickets ahead. Not sure if it was an omen, but the flight over was so clear, with wonderful views of Zurich as we left.
I went to Church for 9 lessons and carols which was a mixed blessing. It was wonderful to be back in my home church again, comforting to be part of the ritual of carols and lessons. Jarring to see so many "grown ups" still part of the community, that I knew as a kid. So many people talked to me afterwards, which their condolences. I sang my heart out and cried a little.
And then leaving church, managed to blow both nearside tyres of the car. Had to wait 3 hours in the cold for the rescue truck. And in fact lost most of Monday arguing with Budget. Finally got the car back mended at 2pm, after paying for the tyres myself :-(
I spent Monday morning with my notebook and laptop in Costa. The answer to - how long can you make a pot of tea last? - is - about 4 hours!
Tuesday I drove cross country to Salford to meet Sophie the Funeral Director, who was wonderful. We planned and talked about Dad and then I spent some time sitting with him. Hardest thing I've had to do.
Before leaving on Wedndesday, I visited Heather and Peter in Frenchay (I went to primary school with his son, and they had 2 younger boys, the same age as Chris and Kate) and caught up on village gossip!
Final tasks were to drop a note through the door of the Anchorage and then walk through Vassal's park. I might have cried again....
Again, clear views on the flight back, but felt completely drained. So glad to get home to my boys, and was cheered by flowers for me from my lovely team...
I went to Church for 9 lessons and carols which was a mixed blessing. It was wonderful to be back in my home church again, comforting to be part of the ritual of carols and lessons. Jarring to see so many "grown ups" still part of the community, that I knew as a kid. So many people talked to me afterwards, which their condolences. I sang my heart out and cried a little.
And then leaving church, managed to blow both nearside tyres of the car. Had to wait 3 hours in the cold for the rescue truck. And in fact lost most of Monday arguing with Budget. Finally got the car back mended at 2pm, after paying for the tyres myself :-(
I spent Monday morning with my notebook and laptop in Costa. The answer to - how long can you make a pot of tea last? - is - about 4 hours!
Tuesday I drove cross country to Salford to meet Sophie the Funeral Director, who was wonderful. We planned and talked about Dad and then I spent some time sitting with him. Hardest thing I've had to do.
Before leaving on Wedndesday, I visited Heather and Peter in Frenchay (I went to primary school with his son, and they had 2 younger boys, the same age as Chris and Kate) and caught up on village gossip!
Final tasks were to drop a note through the door of the Anchorage and then walk through Vassal's park. I might have cried again....
Again, clear views on the flight back, but felt completely drained. So glad to get home to my boys, and was cheered by flowers for me from my lovely team...