Are you being kept inside by the impending rain too? I'm considering putting the heating on. Apparently it was the first day of Summer yesterday. Please, if you have some Summer, can you send a bit my way?
Yesterday morning my husband received some sad news. The news that his beloved Nan had passed away in the early hours. Such sad news but it had been expected for a while and although Paul and his family were deeply saddened, it was a blessing that she was now out of pain and in a much happier and more beautiful place.
I first met Rhoda Byers about three and a half years ago when Paul and I first got together. A wonderful, wonderful woman and at the grand old age of 89 when I met her, she had those wonderful eyes that you know could tell a lifetime of stories. Stories that you and I could never imagine being able to tell. The stories of a war, of a hard life and of a love with a man that would last her entire lifetime, a love that proves that soulmates truly do exist. A love with Bill, Paul's grandad. A love that stood the test of time and a love that you only hear of in fairytales. A match made in heaven and which is now flourishing in heaven once again.
I had never known of love being so pure, so unbroken and so missed. Her world fell apart when she lost Bill about 6 years ago. Remarkably they had been married over 60 years. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill, but he lived in Rhoda and I felt like his spirit never left her side.
Rhoda was truly a remarkable woman. A very well known and well loved woman, she had an army of great-grandchildren and lived in a town where everyone knew her name. She was kind, loving and you were always welcome, anytime.
Paul, my wonderful husband, was very close to his Nan and Grandad especially as he was growing up and although he's putting on a brave face I can see the hurt in his eyes and wish I could help ease his grieving.
It's never easy to lose someone close to you, but I truly believe that we go to a better place, a place where the sun always shines, there is no pain and upset. A place where you are returned hand in hand with your loved ones never to be parted again.
I feel so very privileged to have known Rhoda, even if it was only for a short time.
I write this for my love, Paul, and his family & I write this so that one day my daughter and son can read a little memento about their Great Nanny Rhoda.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled light
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
I'd like to think of today's post as a tribute and not as a sad one.
I hope you have a wonderful day and I thank you for letting me share this with you today.
Love
Bex
x
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