winter

Nan passed away peacefully yesterday morning.

She never regained consciousness after the stroke, but the nurses told us that one thing they do know for sure is that she could hear what was going on around her - so she knew that she was never alone - that at least one (and often more like 8 or 9) of her family were around her the whole time, telling stories, reading out crossword clues, snoring on the floor, laughing (and being told off by the nurses for making too much noise) and generally letting her know that she is loved and will continue to be loved, always and forever.

It's cold here and an incredibly sad time, but at least we're together - and our family is strong. Helen and Bob Clark may not be sitting amongst us anymore, but nothing about their spirits could ever die, and knowing they're together and with us and all around us is enough to keep us warm.

eternal rest???

not if I know that cheeky monkey - she'll already be organising a cake sale and white elephant, and have volunteered Pop to be a runner in some heavenly second-hand book stall. And I wonder what kind of tours they've got organised up there in Paradise?