Bye Bye Twitch

Just a quick sad note that Twitch was put to sleep March 10th as he had a huge abscess in his cheek and the necessary surgery would have just been far too much for him. At least he gave me comfort for the 6 days after Mum passed and I like to think that they're together right now.

I'm starting to feel a little more normal today. I took 2 neighbours to the library and found a beautiful  pattern for another little jumper for Baby Charlie who is due in May. Have also finished a wool blanket for him but I need to block that before I show you it.

Just being at home is a great comfort to me now, the new bread-maker is working beautifully as is the new fridge. The house is cleaner than it has been for ages and the garden is doing well despite the very high temps. I've made a huge pot of Savoury Mince(Ground meat) with vegies and beans as I know Dad enjoys it very much and it freezes well. Dad lost half a pork pie on Sunday~~~we suspect he ate it without really noticing as we cannot find it any-where :)

In about three weeks my brother and I will gather our whole families together at Dad's home for a much over-due pizza and sandwich 'do' as we say in Lancashire. We'll have a beer and a glass of wine and remember our beloved Mam. Her ashes will be available next week but Dad is still deciding what to do with them...she wanted to be scattered on the golf course in front of their home where they spent many happy hours playing golf with so many lovely people. The Golf ladies plan to plant a native tree nearby to remember Mam.

I'll leave you with this photo of my Grandad Gardner in the mid fifties. Her Majesty appears to be looking directly at his MBE that she had given to him in 1952 in honour of his service at Dunkirk during WW2, I think my Dad should also have been on parade but had to work that day...these were the Territorial Army of part-time soldiers

Hope all is well at your place
Love from Sue
xx

Bree's Tribute

Bree is our daughter in love and expecting her first baby in May...she was an amazing rock during Mum's illness to our whole family and we're so happy that she's here with us now.

So its taken me a while to come up with the words to pay my respects to one of the greatest women i have ever met..
I almost feel like ive been robbed of time spent with you. In saying that it has been an honour getting to know you. You shared with me so much knowledge, intriguing stories of your past, your contagious smile, an inspiring ability to hold strength and positivity at all times and most importantly your loving heart.

In your final weeks of life u shared an experience with me that ill never forget, and with that ive learned:
- that there not enough people left on this earth quite like yourself. I only speak for myself when i say knowing you has made me a better person.
- life is cruel and unfair to those that least deserve it. As scared and sad as i felt at times, u always brought out positivity in every conversation. Your superpower was the ability to light up a room with your smile alone.
- the meaning of family. How quickly you welcomed me to be apart of yours will forever dumbfound me. Who knew i would be so lucky.
- the love and kindness people gave you was only a small expression of how much love you actually filled their hearts with.

My list could go on and on. In a nutshell, you will be dearly missed. Though we are left with a hole in our hearts, u certainly left it full of cherishable memories and love. Im sorry that my son never had the pleasure that i did to meet you, he will learn of the beautiful angel, that is you, that has his back for the rest of his life.

Rest in peace sweetheart.. always missed but never forgotten xoxo

R.I.P. Mum

Mum passed away yesterday morning at 12.09 am.  She died peacefully at home after several days of attentive nursing and  full-time company from one or more loving members of her family.

Marjorie Emma Gardner, nee Kelsall
April 5th 1937 to March 4th 2016
Leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Jack, children Sue and Ian and their partners, Joe and Wendy.

Grandchildren Paul, Gordon and Bree, Elizabeth, Pete, Jack and David.

Great-grandchildren Cody, Jacob, Jessica, Olivia, Caleb, David and Charlie who is due in May.

Brother Tom and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jessie and Alan and their families.

aged about 3years

Feeding the chickens with Tom

aged 17 yrs with her own beloved Mam

Wedding Day, October 1st, 1955

Honeymoon in London

Trying to get into the Capt Pugwash ride near Carnforth in 2008

Korea 2012

Photo bombing two of her great-grandchildren on Christmas Day, 2015

Getting her paperwork in order, February 11th, 2016

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there; I did not die

Mary Elizabeth Fry 1932

Mum will live on in the laughter of our children.

Ian's words

Hi Guys
Ian here. My Mum, Marjorie Emma Gardner died early yesterday morning 4/3/16. She was the master of her own destiny until the end opting to die at home surrounded by family .We enlisted the help of Silver Chain- who I cannot praise enough - they provided a hospital bed so we could make Mum more comfortable, all the palliative drugs she needed (although she was of course still in a fair amount of discomfort) and lots of professionalism and compassion. Mum was first diagnosed with that bastard cancer on Xmas Eve, so it was at least over fairly quickly. Right to the very end Mum never complained once,( I think she didn't want to distress us) and she left us with the grace and dignity that she lived her life with. I'm so glad that I had the time at the end to tell her how much she meant to me and how much she was loved by her family and friends. Thanks Mum for being the best ever and Sue and I will make sure that Dad is looked after. . R.I.P. xxx

Bree's words

So its taken me a while to come up with the words to pay my respects to one of the greatest women i have ever met..
I almost feel like ive been robbed of time spent with you. In saying that it has been an honour getting to know you. You shared with me so much knowledge, intriguing stories of your past, your contagious smile, an inspiring ability to hold strength and positivity at all times and most importantly your loving heart.

In your final weeks of life u shared an experience with me that ill never forget, and with that ive learned:
- that there not enough people left on this earth quite like yourself. I only speak for myself when i say knowing you has made me a better person.
- life is cruel and unfair to those that least deserve it. As scared and sad as i felt at times, u always brought out positivity in every conversation. Your superpower was the ability to light up a room with your smile alone.
- the meaning of family. How quickly you welcomed me to be apart of yours will forever dumbfound me. Who knew i would be so lucky.
- the love and kindess people gave you was only a small expression of how much love you actually filled their hearts with.

My list could go on and on. In a nutshell, you will be dearly missed. Though we are left with a hole in our hearts, u certainly left it full of cherishable memories and love. Im sorry that my son never had the pleasure that i did to meet you, he will learn of the beautiful angel, that is you, that has his back for the rest of his life.

Rest in peace sweetheart.. always missed but never forgotten xoxo