THE LETTER

GM and I have always celebrated 3rd Feb as our Valentines day, as that's the day we first got together as a couple, many years ago. So, for us, 14th Feb has always been just a normal day - but not any more!

This year it was a Thursday. Our post comes quite late in the day, and on this particular day one letter popped through the letter box at roughly 2pm - I remember because I was lying on the sofa intending to have a short nap. "It's for you" GM said, handing me a white, hand-written envelope with a BP logo in the top left-hand corner. The return address was not one I recognised so I had absolutely no idea of the significance of this quite ordinary correspondence.

As GM took himself off into the kitchen I opened the letter, and read the first two sentences. All of a sudden my whole life changed. I can’t even begin to describe the emotions that I felt, it was so enormous, I was completely overwhelmed. Before I read further I must have called out because next thing I knew GM and I were both in the hallway, me with tears running down my face. "What is it?" he asked, concerned for my tears. I handed him the letter, he also read the first two sentences and then we were  holding each other very, very tightly, both of us with tears running down our faces. I can’t remember how long we stayed like that – it could have been a few seconds, or a few minutes, time stood still, until it occurred to me that I hadn’t even finished reading the letter. This letter changed my life. It contained news for which I had been waiting for over 50 years. Happy, happy news. I read the rest of the letter, I read it again, then again, and then again, not able to stop the flow of tears. I really, really cannot remember much about the rest of the day, all I can remember thinking, several times, was that outside of our house the world was still turning and people were going about their normal everyday stuff, but how could this be? The world is now a totally different place, I am living a totally different life, everything is suddenly so wonderful and I am so, so happy I could literally burst. (I feel I must add in here that my life isn't bad anyway, I am incredibly fortunate, but this was just something extra that was huge.)

Later in the day, with shaking hands, I scribbled off an initial reply – it was far too important not to reply immediately, and thankfully the sender had included two stamped self-addressed envelopes. I continued in an emotional daze for the next couple days before reality kicked in. I knew that several other people needed to be told this news, so plans were made for an initial trip to Wiltshire on the Sunday with GM and then a trip to Surrey and Kent on my own during the week, which luckily was half-term week so I was able to double up and spend a few precious hours with each of my GDs. I was nervous, but needn’t have been, everyone I told was incredibly positive and supportive, and when I arrived back home at the end of the week I was able to compose a more detailed response, which included my email address, and which went in the post on the Saturday, just 9 days after receipt of the initial letter.

Life got back to normal with a bump after the weekend when I had my three days of GD5 minding, so all my energies were directed towards her and her needs. It was on my return home on the Wednesday afternoon that I received the email in response to my second letter, containing details that had previously been withheld - another incredibly emotional moment. As it happened, FO and CH had given us a bottle of champagne for Christmas (thanks both x x), which GM had decided to chill, so that evening we shared it over tea, to celebrate our amazing, wonderful news. 

So, although now, after three weeks, I have got used to the news, my life has changed and will never be the same again. A hole in my heart that I have walked around with for such a long, long time has been filled, I am still super-charged with emotion and tears are still very close to the surface, but two-way communication by email is now regular and we look forward to the next stage of this incredible journey in a couple of weeks time.

So, Valentine's Day, February 14th 2019 is a day I shall remember for as long as I live.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For those of you reading this who already know the contents of the letter, I would be most grateful if you would refrain from commenting as there are still members of my extended family who need to hear this news directly from me.

Gratitude Days 3 and 4 : Trip to Devon/Cornwall

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to have a few free days to nip down to Devon to stay with my cousin, who lives in the middle of nowhere (seems like that anyway).

On the second day of my trip I met up with this awesome bunch of Silver Sisters. I am so grateful to have these lovely ladies in my life.

Top row l to r Christina, Carol, Mary, Vanessa, Joy. Seated l to r Pamela, Jeanette.

On the third day of my visit we took a quick trip across the county border into Cornwall and had a walk along the beach at Widemouth Bay before visiting a fabric shop and then having a pub lunch in Bude. Huge thanks dear Glen, I am extremely grateful to be related to such a kind and generous lady.

Isn't mother nature wonderful!

Gratitude Day 2 : The Wedding

Not long ago, one of my sons (GO) and his partner (EG) got hitched.

Their wedding was one of the happiest days I can ever remember. Everyone, but everyone, who shared their day with them was happy, friendly, loving, joyous. Not much more to say really, except that I am extremely grateful to have been a small part of such a happy day for a lovely couple.

Gratutude Day 1 : Everyone has their own story

Please excuse the fuzziness of this image, taken on my phone in poor light.

Yesterday I travelled to Bristol to meet with these two inspirational ladies, both of whom have incredible stories to tell, which I won't say anything about here as they are not my stories to tell, but both had a profound impact on me and made me realize how extremely fortunate I am.

You would walk past these ladies in the street, there is nothing visibly remarkable about either to make them stand apart from the rest of us, which also makes me think that probably everyone else that we meet or even just see in the distance most likely also has their own story.

I've reached the grand old age of 70 without ever having been in a position of being half a planet away from loved ones, and I've never had to cope with a serious illness. For both of those things I am extremely grateful.

Our annual Festive Family get-together . . .

. . . was held this year on Sunday 10th December at http://thegeorgeinnstmarybourne.co.uk/ as this is a conveniently situated mid-way location for the Surrey kids and the Wiltshire kids. An enjoyable time was had by all - well, I certainly enjoyed it and I think everyone else did too.

FO managed to get into almost every picture and DO managed to keep out of most of them!!

Twelve days of Christmas, the alternative version (by me)

This is an old post from 2011, please take a look

https://joyknitt.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/on-twelfth-day-of-christmas.html

Bucket list countdown.

One of the items on my bucket list of things to do before my 70th birthday was to go to a Premier League football match to see my second favourite football team, Southampton. (Fulham Football Club is my first love, and will, hopefully, be back in the Premier League one day).

I achieved this last weekend, when GT and I went to St. Marys to see Saints v. Everton.

We got down there pretty early in order to get the car parked up fairly close to the stadium, so with time to kill we took a walk around before we went in. We came across a fair few interesting characters.

This last is an Everton supporter who apparently travels to all the away matches very scantily clad. What you can't see is a backpack stuffed full of money that he raises for charity. Added later - you can read all about him here http://www.prideofsportawards.co.uk/history/2017/mick-cullen

Naturally I was too busy watching the match to take any photos during play, but when the players came on to the pitch for a warm-up session I was delighted that the Everton players warmed up just in front of us. You can say what you like about Wayne Rooney, but you can't argue with his footballing record.

. . . and there is my very cold friend.

It was a cold day, but we enjoyed the game, and the result was good - Saints 4, Everton 1. I lost my voice from shouting and screaming so loudly after our 4th goal. Thanks to GT for coming with your mum to fulfil a dream.