Tuesday 17 June 2008

The best and worst of times.............

Another long absence, my sincere apologies. I'm sure some of you must have thought we'd sailed to France and decided never to come back, we were sorely tempted, let me tell you!

I've ummed and ahhhed about how to phrase what happened to us over the half term break. In some ways I was reluctant to blog about it because it's very personal, hence the long absence. Unfortunately when we were on the way to the ferry we received the news we'd been been dreading, that Ian's mum had taken a very serious turn for the worse. We turned back and Ian drove straight to Scotland whilst I went to my folks up north. Sadly Helen died that night at 10.30pm, but Ian made it in time to be with her. Although not completely unexpected it was a very sad time for all of us, Helen's children in particular.

Helen was a truly remarkable, brave, selfless and lovely, lovely woman. It was a privilege to have known her for the past 12 years, and she was the best mother, grandmother and friend you could wish for. She will be very sadly missed by us all.
We decided to still have our holiday, a week later, the day after the funeral. We thought it was probably the best remedy for our little family. It was a good decision, we had a truly lovely time, chilled out, played together, read lots and drank lots of French cider, it was the tonic we all needed.

I'll be back later this week, there's so much to catch up on.

Julia x

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Julia, I am so glad to see you back in Blogland but goodness me what a sad sad time you've been through, I am truly sorry to hear that. But glad your hols gave you the break you needed, lokoing forward to having you back when you are ready hun
love and hugs
Lxxxx

Kathy said...

Hi Julia, So sorry to read your truly sad news. Kathy

prettyshabby said...

Hi Julia..its really lovely to hear that your back but what a really sad post, I'm so sorry to hear your bad news,Ian must be devastated..and you too for that matter.From your photo,Helen looked like a lovely lady with sparkling eyes and a warm face and lots of love to give..if you get that impression from a picture, she must have been really wonderful in real life.. best wishes to you and your family,I'm glad you had a lovely holiday,even though it was tinged with sadness. x

Anonymous said...

Hi Julia, I'm so sorry to hear your about your sad loss. I hope the holiday has given you time to rest and have a break.
Margaret and Noreen xx

Louise said...

So sorry Julia to hear your sad news. She looked and sounded like a truly lovely lady. Louise x

Mary said...

So sorry about your mother-in-law and friend

Locket Pocket said...

What a sad loss for all your family. Sending you a big hug. Lucy xxx

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear your sad news. I'm glad you had your holiday as spending time together helps I think.
I must say Ian's mum looks a lovely lady. Such a gorgeous photo.

lots of love
Claire xxx

Emma Herian said...

So sorry to hear such sad news. I hope time will be a great healer.
Emx

French Knots said...

So sorry to hear your sad news. Thinking of you and your family. x

Ragged Roses said...

Oh Julia I am so sorry to hear your very sad news. Take care, thinking of you
Kimx

mollycupcakes said...

Dear Julia and Ian,
I'm so very sorry for your loss and send you our dearest wishes.
If you need anything I can do, please just ask.
My thoughts are with you all.
Take care, many hugs.
Love

Catherine x

Curlew Country said...

Oh Julia I'm so sorry for you, your family and especially Ian. Glad your holiday was some comfort, Helen sounds like a truly fabulous lady. Lovely, lovely photo and happy memories to treasure.
Be kind to yourselves, take care.
Stephx

Simone said...

I am so sorry. What a beautiful lady.

Claire said...

Im so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother in law, she did look exactly how you descibed her, she sounded a lot like my mum who died 8 years ago, sadly it always seems to be the lovely ones who suffer....take care Claire x

Racheal Miles said...

Sincerely sorry to hear of your loss.

Thinking of you.

Racheal x

Carol said...

So sorry to hear sad news Julia.
I a glad that Ian managed to be with her...it was best for both of them.
Big hugs and take care,
Carol x

Brierley + Clover said...

I'm so very sorry that she passed away - you've posted such a beautiful photo - she looks like she was a lovely Nan. Thinking of you all x

jessica daisy said...

So sorry to hear about your sad news, Helen sounds like a wonderful lady. I'm glad that Ian made it in time to say goodbye.
Jessx

Nonnie said...

I'm really sorry to hear about the sad loss of your Mother-in-law but glad that your husband managed to make it up to Scotland in time to see her. Sounds like the holiday was just what you all needed. Glad you had a lovely time.

tea and cake said...

I'm a lurker here, so you don't know me, but I was sad to read your news. Karen xx

Gill said...

So sorry to hear your news Julia, she looks like a lovely lady. I think the family holiday was just what you all needed after such a sad time. Best wishes.
Gill

Country Cottage Chic said...

I am so sorry to read this post - my condolences to your family.

Jayne

Garden Girl said...

Sorry to have just read about your sad news, Julia. Hope you are all starting to recover slowly. Helen looked like a very lovely twinkly lady!best wishes,anna x

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Oh my word this is sooo sad...