Aleksander Boleslaw Szustakiewicz
26.2.1928 – 2.10.2016
My heart is too heavy to walk with you today. Some of you will know that Dad died whilst I was in the Algarve. He had a long, and often-times happy life, and made many friends along the way. He was never happier than when surrounded by family, and it brought real joy to his life when he was reunited with those in his native Poland, after an absence of 64 years.
Tomorrow he will be surrounded by love as we say our goodbyes, remember and celebrate his life. He was a wonderful Dad, and was ever present in my life. The loss will be huge, but the connection to Poland will endure, as he would have wanted.
I know you will excuse me from commenting this week, but whilst I was away the walks continued to roll in. I would like you to share them in my absence. Many thanks in anticipation of your tolerance and kind thoughts. I will be back walking with you next week.
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Cathy’s been romping all over Iceland! This is just one of many. Enjoy!
North Iceland : The Black Lava Field & Solfataras of Leirhnjukur at Krafla
Meantime, Becky is edging eastwards with a whole lot of history :
Not just the home of golf! Ask Elaine!
Autumn as you don’t very often see it. Through Cardinal’s eyes :
Some day I must make it to Sicily. Pretty please! Lady Lee loves it :
When Sue waxes lyrical you just have to sit up and pay attention!
Larch Trees in Canada- The Beauty Queens
Serious Sue (I’m differentiating 🙂 ) kindly lets me ride her mobility scooter at Wisley :
Signs of Autumn and a Sculpture Trail
Drake has found himself a jewel of a home in Alsace :
And Biti, the most beautiful ‘shell’ house you’ll ever see :
Ballymaloe Cooking School- The Shell House
Debbie tells the story of Wojtek, the bear who went to war. If you were curious about him after my last post, here it is!
Geoff goes strutting his stuff around London :
Let Jaspa take you to another fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site :
The Forts and Tunnels of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
I knew very little about Milwaukee till I read Jackie’s post :
Spicy chilli hot chocolate? Have some with Violet Sky :
St. Boniface and Gabrielle Roy
Navarra has such a nice sound to it. Leya would love to show you around :
Ziga, Baztan- Natural, Yet Sophisticated
Take care of each other.
restlessjo 
So sorry to read this, Jo. My most sincere condolences to you and your family. Hugs.
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Thanks, Ese. I appreciate it.
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Oh, Jo – I am so very sorry to read about this. Your photo shows a man full of the joy of life. My own father had a similar attitude. He will have been gone for six years this Christmas. I think of him every single day. Take care tomorrow, and in the days and weeks to come.
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Jill. He knew a lot of love in his life.
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So very sorry to hear your news, Jo…. My sincere condolences to you and yours, my thoughts are winging their way north to be with you. Your father sounds to have been a lovely man, and you must take comfort from the fact he was so happy to be with his family, and later in life was able to reunite with his Polish family and experience happy times. xx
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Thanks, Sue. He had a grand send off yesterday. He would have enjoyed it! Still entertaining family today but searching for ‘normal’ again in a few days time.
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Condolences from us in Gib, Jo. Hope tomorrow goes as well as it can.
After attending my husband’s stepfather’s funeral in S Wales, I realised the value of the family wake. We had a small one (family only) at my mum’s house after my dad’s funeral and it went really well. Truly a good way to celebrate a life and helps come to terms with the loss and sense of grief.
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Thanks, Kate. There was laughter and tears, and an enormous amount of love. I felt very proud of the man that he was.
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So sorry for your loss …….
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Thanks, Achim.
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Jo, hard to ‘like’ this post, more to say you’re in my thoughts and my heart goes out to you. So sorry for your loss. May tomorrow bring strength and comfort being with your family and friends to celebrate his life, to say goodbye. My sister-in-law is Polish and I have been with them at key life moments and never fail to be moved by their passion for family, singing & food. A powerful unifying force. Hugs ❤️
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Dad was surrounded by love in the end, Annika, and he gave so very much of it when he was alive. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
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My deepest condolences…May God bless you and your family.
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Thanks to you, Mihran.
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My sentiments, Jo.
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Thanks, Angela.
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So very sad to read this, Jo. I lost my Dad 18 months ago so the memories are still fresh of what it is like, and I feel for you. Sincere condolences to you and yours.
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The family get together was wonderful, Anabel, and he was surrounded by love. Thank you.
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So glad x
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Thoughts and prayers with you and family at this time of sadness and celebrating your Dad’s life.
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Thanks, Ruth.
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Oh Jo, such a hard thing to bear. You beloved and wonderful Dad. My sincerest condolences but I hope that as time passes and the pain of your loss lessens, you will be able to look back and remember the joy you shared with him and the happiness you bought him with the family reunions you were able to bring together. A big, healing hug to you.
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Thanks so much, Tanya. There was lots of love and laughter along with the tears. He would have loved the ‘send off’ we gave him.
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Oh Jo, how sad. My thoughts are working their way up north to be with you.
He sounded a lovely man who raised a fantastic daughter. I hope tomorrow goes well.
Xx
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Thank you so much for that, Debs. 🙂 Much appreciate your email. We gave him a grand send off yesterday. Still got family here today.
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This is so sad – even if we keep reminding ourselves that all life is finite. I am very sorry for you loss, Jo.
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Thank you for your kindness, Tobias.
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So very sorry, hard to lose a parent.
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No way to replace them. Thank you.
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Hugs Jo xx
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And to you too, Becky. Family have mostly gone home. Lisa and Leo go today but the Canada family will remain to help sort the house and pick up the pieces.
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Glad you have them around a little bit longer……take care xx
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Very sorry jo. .
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Thanks, Tony.
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Sympathy and condolences Jo.
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Many thanks, Frank.
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We are all walking with you in spirit, as is your loving father. Lo, lo siento. Z
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Thanks a lot, Lisa. Dad was such a kind and loving man, and he was well loved in return.
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May strength be with you during this trying time.
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Many thanks.
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My condolences, Jo 😦
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Thanks a lot.
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