 |
| My daughter, Annabel and Jeannot at Avebury |
Another thread in life has vanished. Early this morning I had a long conversation with my daughter, the medical equipment keeping Annabel alive was removed last night and she went. We do not face up to death but it is there written in our makeup and we are left with the pain whilst the person who has died is given freedom.
So I will talk about the better things. I haven't seen Annabel for over 40 years but her presence has always lingered in my memory. We both arrived, roughly about the same time at Es Planches in Blonay in Switzerland to the home of my adopted family then.
I was recently widowed with a small child called Karen from Annabel's brother Nick, who had died tragically as a result of a car crash. And she left on an oil camp out in Iran by her then husband. Jeannot's family was also there in the hot desert and they took care of her and Marc her young son. Jeannot fell in love with her and has been with her ever since, nursing her through illness these last years. He now is inconsolable.
Annabel had accepted her coming death, she was done with life. And as her family came through the door of her room she welcomed them as all her favourite people, though for some inexplicable reason she did mention the gardener - Luigi, but when you get old the mind wanders doesn't it?
I remember her from that time, I was fascinated by her mannerisms for they were so like Nicks. But she had been the one to visit him in England when he was at boarding school and take him out to tea and he had copied her of course.
She worked down in Lausanne in a shop selling embroidered stuff and we probably all sported those little Swiss white blouses covered in a ring of embroidery.
I am writing this for my grand children, it is a history of one person in their family. Life is so different now. Karen has always been close to Annabel and it will affect her but she rushed from the festival she was at with Andrew and flew to Vevey straightaway. She is a good daughter and niece.
And now for other things, she comes back tomorrow, also Andrew will arrive and Mollie in the afternoon. Mollie and I are being treated like royalty by the RSPCA, though apparently she will insist on sleeping in a cardboard box!
 |
| A family blurry snap |
You have some lovely memories of so many interesting people.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the arrival of the furry friend!
I have taken my plants off the window sill, Mollie being an indoor cat likes to look out of the window Sue.
DeleteInteresting people yes, but probably just living different lives.
It is fitting for you to have a photo of them at Avebury. Somehow that is reassuring.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right Tom, centering them in place.
DeleteThe loss of a dear one, however far way they are leaves a gap in one's mind - a gap which one has to fill with memories, This doesn't happen overnight as you and I both know well, but it is worked through until one is left with that empty space filled in with happy memories. I hope you reach this stage quickly - and gently - Thelma. Love to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat, it has been a sad time for the family, and also for me wandering round the memories. I think though I am facing past memories more now and writing about them which is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI like that you wrote a remembrance of her for the young ones in your family. Like your family photograph, our memories of a person tend to fade and get a bit blurry as time passes. Eventually the pictures are lost to time, unless there is a person to properly tend them. Thanks for being that person. So...have you been approved to take Mollie?
ReplyDeleteYes, passed my on screen view. Though really it was about talking to the foster mum, who loves Mollie a lot and would have kept her but decided it was better that she went on fostering other cats.
DeleteNothing wrong with sleeping in a cardboard box. Get a new one from time to time and they will change to it when ready. Same with cat beds, but boxes are cheaper and often preferred.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is cardboard boxes are difficult to find these days Tasker.
DeleteWhat a wonderful and painful opportunity to be able to say goodbye to someone as they leave our space. You seem balanced in all of this, and can perhaps, help those who are in paralyzing pain.
ReplyDeleteBalanced I am not Tabor, but perhaps being open about things lessens the pain.
DeleteI am glad that your daughter stayed close to Annabel all these years. The memories you share are a good way to comfort the family.
ReplyDeleteYes Ellen it was a strong relationship. Family gives you strength.
ReplyDeletePlease no more comments. I do appreciate them but not at the moment. Thank you
ReplyDelete