Funeral

Today was a sad day-we said goodbye to Rita-our old friend.She had a great send off, the crematorium was full of her family and old friends.The hearse took her all around the area in Shreswbury that she had lived before she came to Ludlow--me and Bill hadnt known her then, so it was touching to pass by her old home.

I have found some lovely pictures of her on the computer, the one above was taken last Christmas, she loved goose so the past 2 years we have had Rita up for the day in between Christmas and new year and I cooked her a goose dinner-- and she has really enjoyed herself, making a fuss of the cat and the parrot and enjoying her dinner--as you can see from her plate!

She is going to leave a big gap in our lives-in the time I have spare now I will paint and think of her while Im painting.

Reminiscence

We had a lovely day on Sunday with Wendy and Gil-my old friend Rita's daughter and son in law.

Over several bottles of wine and a lovely roast dinner, we laughed and reminisced and told each other stories of Rita--she was such a character.

She has left a big hole in all our lives.

It turned out to be a late night, but I have the feeling that Rita would have approved!!!

I know she would have enjoyed the lemon and lime cheesecake!

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you whatever we were to each other that we still are
call me by my old familiar name speak to me in the easy way which you always used
put no difference in your tone wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together pray smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort without the trace of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
it is the same as it ever was there is unbroken continuity why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you somewhere very near just around the corner
All is well
Thanks to my mate Sha for sending me this.

Rita RIP

Our dear friend Rita passed away last night 31st Oct.

I have known Rita for over 3 years now, she was a real character-full of beans and most of the time a laugh a minute.

Bill used to tease her and call her 'a cantankerous old bugger'.

I cant tell you how much she will be missed.

We didnt miss many days going down there to see her and sorting out bills, or taking her some shepards pies that Bill made--she kept saying in hospital ''please get a job in the kitchen-I do miss your cooking Bill!''

She is going to leave a great big gap in all off our lives--Bless You Rita xxxxx

I found this lovely poem and it sums it all up.

Don't cry for me
When tomorrow starts without me ,

And I’m not there to see.

The sun that shines upon your eyes, which are filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,

The way you did today.

While thinking of the many things we didn’t do or say.
I know how much you love me,

as much as I love you,

and each time that you think of me I know you’ll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart for every time you think of me I’m right there in your heart.