Remembering
There are always a few moments during Christmas when we pause to remember someone that we have lost. As you know recently, one of my special friends passed away and today is the 10th anniversary of another special friend who died after a long battle with cancer. She was a colleague at work and we sat together side by side for over 13 years (being affectionately called Hinge and Bracket by our colleagues!).
Working together each day we knew each other and our families so well. If I was having a bad day she would disappear into the kitchen and make me a hot chocolate as she knew that was my comfort drink. We supported each other in many ways and subsequently through our respective cancers and treatments, but unfortunately, Helen’s cancer returned and became terminal and she passed away in 2015.
Since then, the eighth of December has been referred to as Helen’s flowers day here and I take a small posie of flowers round to her mum together with a Christmas card and a little message of remembrance as a small guesture that Helen will not be forgotten.
She was, for me, the best colleague anyone could have wished for and we would laugh and joke through every day together, often till tears ran down our cheeks.
I hope everyone is getting ahead with whatever Christmas plans you have, some are elaborate some more simple but everyone in blogland seems to be enjoying the season so far.
My Advent calendar is looking quite pretty now as I open a few windows and reveal the little colourful picture behind each one. I will take a picture tomorrow. Surprisingly, I cannot remember myself what is behind each window even though I made it myself.
I looked after the boys yesterday for a while, Master Freddie and baby Chocolate, and I had a request to come and make gingerbread men with granny. How sweet is that! As it happens the girls Little L and Sweetie will be down to stay over the weekend, I had planned to make some Christmas mice with them but maybe they would like to make gingerbread men or a house too along with the boys.
Back tomorrow X
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Making gingerbread houses, men or decorating cookies is the best fun for little ones as they get to eat their creations. Marlene, poppypatchwork
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It wasn’t on the agenda but looks like it is now!
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So sorry to hear that you lost a good friend. There’s something priceless about laughing until you cry with someone. It’s a rare occurrence for me these days, (I wish it happened more), but when it does happen it is so precious. It’s lovely that you make a point of remembering and sending flowers to her mum. I’m sure she really appreciates it.
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I miss those days of helpless laughter. When we were in an open office together our ‘inmates’ who worked along side us would start laughing at us laughing…so infectious. Work was never the same after she died and I had to see her empty chair every day. I am just thankful that she was part of my life, even for the shortened time we had.
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Sorry, Johnnyjumpsup again.
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A lovely way to remember a dear friend. Jules. Xx
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She was special, everyone loved Helen. To mark her first anniversary we lit candles on reception and had a big fund raiser evening at the office for the hospice where she died. The place was packed and we collected such a lot of money in her memory, she would have been so pleased. Xx
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How lovely that you take flowers to Helen’s mum, I’m sure that gesture brings her so much comfort. Knowing that you still remember must mean so much to her. It sounds like you’ve got a lovely weekend ahead of you.
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She was so concerned for me after Helen died. I remember after the funeral she popped into work to give me a card and ask how I was…I was so touched and cried, not for Helen, not for myself but that in her grief she had been thinking about me!
So that is part of the reason I take her flowers. We have had an occasional coffee together in town for a catch up but sadly both last year and this year I have had so much going on I haven’t been able to catch up with any of my friends. I must remedy that. xx
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A lovely way to remember your friend and a kind gesture towards her mum who must miss her daughter so badly at this time of year.
Gingerbread people sounds like a wonderful fun activity to be doing with the children. I’m sure there will be lots of sticky fun and laughter in your house. 😊
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I think there might be more falling out with two seven year olds who squabble at everything, a two year old who is still at smash and/or grab stage, only Little L will accomplish anything quietly. I know I will need a lie down afterwards preferably in a dark room.
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One of the less desirable aspects of getting older is going to so many funerals!
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Many of our same age friends are passing away now or have one of the really awful conditions like Alzeimers or Parkinsons, it is quite worrying.
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