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
Jo, not much I can say … more than you truly have given Christine the most beautiful farewell with this post. And my thought goes out to Stuart and the rest of the family.
I did this walk back home again after t’ai chi this morning, Vivi 🙂 Sometimes I get a lift home but it was bright and breezy so I walked. 30-40 minutes though it took much longer last week when I was taking the photos. Sat in the garden, watching the washing blow, this afternoon. Hugs darlin! You’ll be home again. I was going to pop over tonight.
I love washing on lines, especially as a photo subject … don’t see it very often those days. We have got a laundry room now set up and that is a blessing for the families with children. Our landlord has done a great job so far.
Time to get ready for a summer dress …. and some strolling in the city. On a mission for one of my friends.
A beautiful tribute Jo. So sad … I think I’m closer to some of my blogging buddies than my real flesh and blood friends perhaps because we share so much of ourselves on these pages.
Yes, I think that can be the case, Rosie. Tragic for the family but a loss for all of us too. Thanks for your visit, hon. Hope you’re keeping well? 🙂
So very sorry for your loss Jo. Such a beautiful tribute that you have created with your post. Big hug x
Thanks, Sam 🙂 It’s been an emotional week, for sure. All well with you?
It sure has Jo and time is swiftly flying by, hard to keep up of late.
So very sorry for your loss Jo, I didn’t know Christine but she sounds a pretty special person. She will be smiling at your tribute to her I’m positive of that hun…
Thanks, Amanda. It was all so sudden! Life can be scary sometimes.
I admire your kindness, Jo. This is a sweet walk post to celebrate a memory of her and to saying a goodbye to a dear friend. I am sure Christine was happy to read and enjoying beautiful photos during your walk…
I’m sobbing….
Terrible, isn’t it? I think we all did, Amy.
Hello,
This is Stuart.
One day I may be able to tell all about our last amazing day.
I have just spoken with one of our beautiful yoga friends and blasted her with all the details. She said ‘That was a conscious death’.
I can’t quite grasp that yet but maybe someday.
The funeral is next Wednesday at 11 30 our time (at Broulee Chapel and Crematorium).
I have got a plain casket that I am going to paint with red lotuses.
Thank you her beloved blogging friends.
Maybe there is some way we can include you.
One of our clever sons will know.
Toby (middle son) has researched how you can get access to the book which has the first 4 months of her blog in it. She spent a month redoing all the images and text. it is pretty special.
It will appear either on her blog or facebook or both I think.
Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt messages.
It really really helps
Love to you all
Stuart
Stuart- words fail me sometimes! As nobody knows better than you, she was a very special lady. Thank you so much for for not shutting us out. For sharing your grief, but also your joy in her life. It will be completely amazing to have something of Christine to hold onto. 🙂 I spent time on her blog last night but it feels so strange when you want to leave a comment, but know that there’s no Christine to answer you. We all loved her very much.
Thank you for the details, Stuart. We will be with you in spirit.
Hugs to you and the family. It must be so hard for them.
What an amazing tribute – yes unimaginable until it happens and when it happens it’s still unimaginable – instead of focusing on what we lost so we have to focus on what we were lucky enough to experience – what values these experiences brought us, this may not even death take from us again – but it’s damn hard easier said than done – to settle only to preserve memories as images in our memory, but good memories will never disappear.
Bless you, Drake! Thanks for this. Such a shock it was, and Christine so full of life and tales of the holiday. I went back to her site last night and did some wandering with her in the streets of Seville and beyond. It’s just not the same, with no Christine to talk back to me.
Take care of yourself 🙂
wonderful tribute Jo – need a tissue please.
and you truly have a heart of gold – and my sympathies go out to all who knew this wonderful woman. great honoring post <3<3<3
There are some lovely tributes out there, Y. Did you see Madhu’s?
Happy Independence Day to you! Have you ‘broken up’ yet? 🙂
Too many comments already, but I have to add that this is a post showing what is essentially good about humans. Thank you for that.
Bless you, Lynn 🙂 Thank you! I just spotted your comment when I was trawling backwards this morning. My comments emails aren’t coming in so I have to use guesswork!!! Must make time to look at my settings today
This is so sad Jo… I’m so sorry. My condolences for her family and friends.
I do believe she is shining in a better place now, looking down to us. This is a beautiful tribute.
Thank you 🙂 I think you’re right.
Sorry for the late reply. I’m not receiving emails for the comments, so am missing them!
I don’t know what to say. It must have been a shock. I have never met your friend, but I feel for you.
Hi Paula 🙂 I didn’t know what to say to Stuart either.
I was just in the Reader looking for you 🙂 I’ve spent a lot of time visiting all the commentors today. Do you know Chillbrook and Blue Brightly, Paula? They have some extraordinary photographs out today. I will come and see yours.
It is tragic. I don’t know Blue Brightly. I have had one contact with Mr Chillbrook, and it was most shocking for me, so I won’t visit.
Even though I didn’t personally know Christine it is still a shock.Condolences to her family. I love the pictures you have put here for her xxxx
I mean to go to her blog and have a browse tonight, Diane. Her Seville photos were incredible! She really loved mosaics and all the tiles. I don’t know how long WP will keep the site open. Thanks, hon.
I am so sorry too dear Johanna, my condolences to you and her family. May Christine rest in peace. Wonderful post for her. Thanks and Love, nia
So sad, Nia, and such a shock. Only the day before we had been chatting online. Thank you 🙂
Lovely post of remembrance. You lost a dear friend but wil remember her in all the beauty around you
Yes, that’s very true, Ineke. I have been astounded at all the comments from her many friends, and others besides. I’m trawling their blogs now, looking at happier times. 🙂
😀
My condolences to you and her family. May Christine rest in peace.
Thanks, Imelda.