Farewells & Family

My wonderful Mum was bid farewell yesterday; per her wishes, her simple coffin laden with daisies and marguerites only.......nice and simple....no fuss. Lorraine, Adam, Charlotte, Andy and I followed her final journey in the hearst, through the village of Fairlight where she was happy to spend her last 20 months of life. From an emotion standpoint, I actually felt quite removed from the proceedings which is probably a bad sign......it hasn't hit me yet.......I cannot begin to imagine what I probably have coming.

Our sombre ride ended at Hastings Crematorium where we were joined by my brother Robert, his partner Caroline and her daughter Emily. About twenty of my mothers friends were there to pay their respects. The service was brief with a selection of music chosen by my Mother, the Eulogy delivered by Lorraine and a final message from myself before the committal.

A small reception was held at the local pub where about twently people joined us. I was thrilled to see my father's best friend from his RAF days, Nigel, who I had not seen since the age of eleven and his wife, Jenny,  who I had met when she was just a little older than Charlotte is now.  I will never forget how she gave me a pink frosted lipstick, and at the age of eight, it was beyond exciting. The highlight for me, was a gift left to me by my mother in the form of a meeting with her second cousin and Goddaughter Caroline. With a family as small as ours this is so exciting. She is a few years older than I am, absolutely lovely and has invested some serious time in discovering our family history. I know we are going to end up very close.

This would really be the opportune time to say some final words about my Mum and an eloquent goodbye but I can't not yet....in time....but not yet.