2020 You brought trials

 This year will not be soon forgotten for many reasons.  The world has faced, and still faces many trials because of  Covid 19, fire, earthquake and war.

My family has faced a loss that changes the face of everything we do in the future.

My dear lovely husband of 53years went to be with Jesus on 2nd of September, after a brave fight with cancer. It has taken me two months to be able to write that down. 

My husband was a fresh healthy 80years old, who had never been in hospital his whole life. This illness took us by surprise.  

In January he started tests on a lump on his ankle.  This proved to be an agressive sarcoma. He chose to forgo invasive treatment, and had 9 months with us before he died.  I'm just realising it was 9 months exactly, as his appointment with orthopedics was 2nd January.

Life has taken on a new look completely.  There are many things to be thankful for.  My Rufus (a pet name for him) was able to be nursed at home by our lovely family. Supported by a magnificent district nursing team and the help of Macmillen and Marie Curie nurses. We were with him when he passed from this life into eternal life in the prescence of God.  I am thankful for our son and 3 daughters, and our two grandchildren who spent time with him in those last months, and now support me so well.

I am thankful for the many friends who supported us in prayer and with kind caring deeds at a time when covid 19 meant they couldn't physically come to our home.

I am thankful for my Saviour Jesus Christ who has been my strength and stay throughout.

I am also thankful for all the online stitching friends I have made over the years.  I am sorry if I was silent about this, but it was very difficult to put it into words.

I have now joined the ranks of many women and men who go forward without their life partner.

There are also many who are travelling the same journey of illness, and I hope to be someone who gives the kind of support we have had.

Keep safe good friends. 

Here we are at our 50th anniversary.

Just a little post to start the year.

Ok. So I have been encouraged to make a start.  New Year 2020 is still VERY new.  Today I went bargain hunting.  I had heard  Craftworld in Belfast is closing down and had a half price sale on.  Its sad when craft and stitching businesses stop trading, but I have to admit to going along to look for some bargains.  I stocked up on Gutermann cotton thread which is my preferred yarn. I have stitched one of Jenny Reynolds lovely designs, but it is not fit to be seen online, as I am making it up as part of a mugrug, and lo and behold my machine is needing a bit of repair, and refuses to co-operate until I get her sorted. I may have to get out my smaller, older model and finish on that.  So, no more stitching grumbles.  The year has begun for many people in much more traumatic circumstances.  I pray for the people of Australia as they cope with catastrophic fires.  I think of other parts of the world dealing with flooding, war, disease.  I give thanks for this little patch of God's green earth where we live.  Yes, there are problems here also. Still I am thankful for my homeland.  I am looking forward to lots of ways to use my skills this year, to help others. So, you are probably tired of all this chat chat chat, I will try to attach a photo to break the monotony.

Maybe not a great selfie, (Im still learning) but a moment of fun on Christmas day 2019 with my lovely grandchildren.