Christine and Stuart, happy on their holidays
Like many of you, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach, reading Stuart’s brave post this morning. His lovely wife, Christine, ended their 45 years together in his arms. Tears are not far away but I need to write this post. Losing a friend is terrible, but losing a partner, thankfully, is unimaginable till it happens to you.
I know that Christine would want us to celebrate her life, and I’m doing that in the only way I know how. This morning I took a walk in our English countryside, with Christine looking over my shoulder. So often she has done just that, here on my blog. She loved the beauty of nature.
The sheep were indulging their usual antics
And against a garden wall, the sweet peas were climbing
I followed the footpath out of the village
And down the lane, peering in the hedgerows
For little beauties such as this
And this
And gossamer drifts, like these
The elder flowers have been prolific this year
There’s a farmyard smell or two
And it’s not always pretty when you look over the farmer’s wall
But there’s beauty enough if you look for it
And, like Christine, I always do
The insects always seem to find it, too
It comes in all shapes and sizes
And is not always so easy to capture
However could I have imagined, when I woke up this morning, that I’d be writing this post? Was it only Monday we last exchanged greetings and she left me a link to Glastonbury Tor? I can only be thankful for her friendship, and regret that we missed each other by just a day on her recent holiday. I’m so glad that she had that happy time.
Such a wealth of memories Stuart has to look back on. I know him very little, and of his drawings, only through Christine. But what a thoughtful and amazing partner to have said goodbye, on her behalf, as he did this morning. My thoughts are with him and the family she so loved. She was a warm and caring person, who touched my life and that of many others. Whenever I take this English walk now, I know who I’ll be thinking of.
Just one last English rose, for Christine
restlessjo 
Lovely! Great pictures!
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She was a very lovely lady, Billy. Many of us remember her with enormous affection. Thanks for coming over here 🙂
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Oh Jo, I’ve been wandering around the last while carrying the news of Christine’s passing with me, trying to process it and find words. I finally left Stuart a message yesterday, then saw Madhu’s and your tributes, I’m so dreadfully sad. Christine would love the walk you did for her, she may even have accompanied you along the way. Sending you all my love, Ailsa
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There have been many lovely tributes to Christine, Ailsa, but still it’s a heartbreaker. I was in total denial when I read Stuart’s post initially, and then full of sorrow. The family have been incredibly brave, as you will know from ‘Christine’s Service’. Nothing to do but try to offer support. Hugs, Ailsa!
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So sorry for the loss of your friend Joanne. My condolences to her family too. What a lovely farewell post for Christine.
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You’ve probably seen a few of the tributes, Sami. Christine was very well-loved. A week has gone by already. Tragic for the family. Thanks for your kind thoughts. 🙂
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