Sunday 15 March 2009

Sad Sunday





A sad day for me today. These are pictures of my dear friend Linda - remember I asked your prayers the other day? Only 61 years old, she passed peacefully away in her husband's arms at the hospice yesterday afternoon. The pictures were taken in her back garden a little less than three years ago in 2006. We were using her caravan as a kitchen while her hubby, John, was working in the house kitchen.



It was a scorching hot day in May and we were lounging around wallowing in the total lethargy of a race who thinks 80° is 'scorching' and knows to take full advantage in case it rains tomorrow - which it did. Linda didn't know she had bowel cancer, not for sure. She didn't know it would all kick off in September with an operation to chop out the bad bit nor that treatment would continue for, literally, the rest of her life. She didn't know how far advanced her cancer was, even before she knew about it, nor that it had already spread to her lungs and was on its way to her brain, where it would kill her.



I visited her last Monday. Linda was in bed that day, John was there, two mutual cake decorating friends, her brother, me and Keith - a lot of people for a small room - and we spent all afternoon reminiscing and telling silly anecdotes, never thinking that in a little more than 24 hours she would lapse into a coma and, to all intents and purposes, be lost to us.



When Keith handed me the phone yesterday and said "It's John..." I knew why he was ringing. All day my friend kept popping into my mind and I was getting a bit frantic - because I couldn't recall her face, nor how tall she was nor the colour of her hair (when she had some!). My mind wouldn't stay in one place for long enough so I could find these pictures on the computer. I'll sort them all out one day. But after Keith went to bed, after I had put the telly off, after I had sat there thinking of my friend yet again, I was overtaken by a very real peace and quiet and I felt rather than heard "I'm OK now" and I knew that my own prayer for her was answered.



Now I know there will be those who will dismiss this as hysterical bunkum. Please don't - the peace is still there today and so is Linda, in my heart and, complete with picture, in my mind's eye.



Finally, here's just a little reminder of Spring in our Garden. Linda never liked cut flowers indoors but she did like them growing.

Camellia has been in bud for weeks; now it's starting to bloom

There's a little bee in here, can you see it?
I thought daffs would colonise great swathes of garden? These haven't - same as last year!

AND FINALLY, Keithism for today...........
The tulips are silk ones Keith nicked out of the conservatry and poked in among the daffs for a laugh. Quite effective actually.......

9 comments:

Jan said...

Angie I am so sorry to hear of your loss ,I do understand the feeling that came over you ,after the over whelming grief you had felt ,she is still close ,God Bless her and grant her rest ,I love your camelia ,we have one ,a little one with two buds and its lovely ..love Jan xx

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I pray that she is at peace. I too lost a dear friend who was like a sister to me from cancer. I still miss her but know that she is at peace also. We can only be thankful that we were blessed with a good friend. Cancer doesn't play favorites it gets around to many we love. My deepest sympathies at this time of great sorrow for you. 'On Ya'-ma

Kath said...

Awwww I am so sorry Angy you have lost your Dear friend.May perpetual light shine upon her.The pictures of her are wonderful,thankyou for sharing them.Know you are in my prayers and thoughts at this very sad time.Give my condolances too to her hubby and family.I am sending you a cuddle.I know the feeling after losing one of our friends Cath from the same illness last year.She too was only 61 too young to leave us.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

StitchinByTheLake said...

My heart hurts for you Angie. The good Lord will hold you in His hands and give you peace. blessings, marlene

Little Red Hen said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a friend is one of the hardest things to go through. Keep her close to you with your memories and thoughts, dear.

Andy said...

I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Andy xxx

Ally Lifewithally said...

Angie I am so sorry to hear about your dear Friend Linda ~ I would not dismiss your feelings - may the peace stay with you ~ Linda will always be remembered in your heart and thoughts ~ which sounds like a very good safe place for her to be ~ Ally x

Sandra said...

Oh Angie, I`m so sorry to hear about your friend Linda, I can tell from your words that she meant so much to you. I hope your good memories of her will keep her with you always. Thank you for posting photos of your flowers, they are beautiful. Take care my friend.

Love and Hugs

Sandra xxxx

Marie Rayner said...

Angie, I don't know how I missed this post. I am truly sorry to hear about your friend Linda. (((hugs))) Damn that cancer, it takes all the best people. I would dearly love to have a chat with you. Perhaps next Tuesday evening? Dare I hope? XXOO