Memories

We spent yesterday in Trowbridge helping sort and clear Paul's parents house. We need to sell it to pay his mum's nursing home fees, cos that's how the system works these days - I don't agree with it but I won't rant about it here. Paul, Val and Graham had spent most of friday going through the stuff with sentimental value so we were doing the sorting through the rest, creating piles for the tip, or the charity shop, or for house clearance. The guys did a lot of runs to the tip.........and there are piles and piles of stuff for the charity shops - all Paul's dad's clothes, and stuff too good to throw but we won't get any money for (vases and plates, tupperware, bedding etc). The kids got some stuff for their uni lives (patio furniture/irons and so on) and PJ made a few finds on rowing stuff - a special link he and his grandpa had. I think we all found something that held a special memory for each of us.

Bagging up Paul's dads clothes was hard - Sarah and I seized a moment when Val was busy elsewhere and just did it...........

And packing up some of Paul's mum's stuff - cos there's a limit to what its worth taking to the nursing home, especially as she seems to have limited awareness of it all - in a conversation she will say something that makes sense and stuff that doesn't - we really aren't sure how aware she is most of the time - but it seems to make it easier for her to be in the home, whilst harder for us, as we've lost her before she's gone.

So many losses - I was ok until we got in the car to leave, and it hit me that I may not ever go to the house again. I have known and loved the family that lived there for 30 years, 2/3rds of my life, I have so many happy memories, and its the end of an era.

Actually we've decided we'll all go back, when its cleared, and say goodbye together, pray round the house, and then weep!

But we need it to be done and sorted, particularly Val and Ivor.............

Normal life?

Its interesting, settling back into normal, everyday life..........for a start I'm not sure if such a thing exists but...........the huge spector of Paul's dad's death is gone, his mum is being well looked after and her health, whilst deteriorating in some aspects, is fairly stable. Our anniversary is over, our holiday is over, the wedding is over. I was worried that we'd/I'd hit a down phase. But its ok.

Work is ok, I'm being much more careful about what I say yes to, and as a result saying no to stuff. I'm not beating myself up for not getting stuff done. I think I'm managing to do most things ok, and there's some stuff on the horizon that excites me.

Paul has been tired and stressed this week - I hope its because today and tomorrow the family are clearing the house - but we've been talking and praying about it and he's aware of what's going on.

Sarah has been frantically busy with freshers week, is exhausted but has had a great time, and the course restarts next week - she's good :)

PJ has settled back into school, is enjoying being a prefect, seems to be working hard, is loving the independence of driving, and is counting down to seeing Hannah (7 days). I'm impressed by how he's handled it so far - he has missed her like mad, and he's been sad, and quiet, but he's motivated, and committed to supporting her, and getting on with everyday life. Obviously the next bit - Delhi - will be harder - but they'll be ok.

And I feel calmer, much more peaceful, I'm managing to stay focused on God, and looking to Him for my direction, and wisdom, and balance, rather than following my own instincts and rushing in all over the place.

So normal, ordinary, everyday life is good - thank you Lord :D

Kal

The first week home, and a lovely wedding

Can you believe we've been back a whole week! Part of me can't believe it - I can still see those blue skies, and beautiful sea, the lovely people and the relaxing pace of life :) And I'm working hard at not being consumed by every day work, at thinking twice, three times before saying yes to things. I know its going to be hard to maintain but I will try.

The other big thing is remembering that I'm not in charge, God is. Its not my job to fix everything - there may be some things He invites me to be part of fixing, but its not the other way round.

So, in other news............PJ passed his driving test today, and was made school prefect. He did a really good job at the wedding of taking photos, and he's making a real effort not to be overwhelmed by missing Hannah. Sarah was a beautiful, gorgeous, and excellent bridesmaid. I think she's had a better week, she coped well whilst we were away.

That's another thing God's shown me - the devil lies to us all the time but we need to remember we are not judged by the world's values - can we work every hour of the day, fix every problem, stay at a strange house, how well we pass exams etc - but by our relationship with God, and our walk with Him.

The wedding was fun, only hiccup was Shelby being sick over her grandma but she did wait until the evening! The rest of the day was lovely, Ruth just didn't stop smiling and the sun didn't stop shining - enjoy the photos!

Kal x

We're back...............

A long but uneventful flight home. Still like business but strangely it had lost some wow after the amazing luxury of the hotel :)
Its very good to be home, very very good to see the kids. Hannah has of course gone, which means PJ is very understandably sad, sad, sad. Lots of prayers and hugs are all I can offer him - I think its good that he's back to school today - back for his last ever year of school. UCAS and all that stuff...............it will fly I'm sure as time always does. Sarah (and PJ) have done a great job of keeping the house going, no disasters I'm pleased to say.
I hope to have some photos of the holiday up later - My mind keeps drifting back to some of the special things................I think I've written about most of them except the special anniversary meal they did for us on our last night. I was slightly concerned that the holiday might not live up to the amazing expectations we had of it - it has kept us going through so much this year. But it didn't disappoint in anyway (well other than Paul being sick but that wasn't the holidays fault). I am sad that its over though but I guess that's good.
And so to work and normal life - not sure I'm ready :(

last day in Mauritius..........

baring unforeseen circumstances this time tomorrow we'll be well on our way home.

I'm ready - its been lovely, lovely, lovely, but I miss my home and my family and tomorrow I will be there rather than here.

But I will remember very fondly the almost never ending blue sea and sky (we have had some rain) the beauty and the peace. And I am very grateful for this time, very grateful.

We need to remember to give ourselves time to stop on a regular basis - recognising that we wont be able to afford this kind of luxury again for a long time, but it didn't need the luxury (although I wouldn't have missed it) what we needed was the time and the space, with no jobs, and no schedules, just time.

Oh and I have just had the best cappuchinno ever :)

Next planned blog will be from home :D

Mauritius................

is a complex mix of french, english, african, and indian. A lot of indian, and a lot of Hindu (52% of the 1.2m pop). But english is the official language, spoken with a heavy french accent (which is the language the speak at home - with a creole twist). They are an amazing people - polite and kind - even the 'hawkers' the street/beach sellers - are polite - they don't pester at all! But there's more - they are intelligent and thoughtful and humorous. In many ways they are what makes this place so special.
The tour was interesting - sugar cane is there largest industry - they make sugar (obviously) but also use the leaves to thatch the roofs and the waste to make 35% of their energy. I could bore you with more facts but suffice to say it was good to see something of the island and get a glimpse of this complex place.
In 48 hours we will be on our way home - it feels timely :)

kal

A quiet day

Paul has been feeling rough, upset stomach and washed out - its how I was feeling sunday - but I'd assumed it was a combination of rich food and too much sun but maybe it wasn't - so we've had a quiet day, reading, sunbathing (well me at least) and lots of chilling.
Its a hard life :)
Tomorrow we're going to explore the island..............
Kal x

A place so special its hard to describe

We spent today on a catamaran trip - it was truly amazing, and on the way back I was thinking what I could blog about and, although I am obviously managing to a certain extent, its hard to put it into words...............

Warmth , and sunshine, that reaches your spirit..............it doesn't even get cold at night, down to about 20 degrees! (which is ok cos we have air con in our room) but also means that in the evenings, which start early cos the sun sets at 6.30 (its winter..........) you barely need a cardigan

Peace and quiet and relaxation - I think I've said that initially it was hard to unwind, that we couldn't remember the last time we had stopped, well I'm now completely relaxed, and resting.
The beauty of this place is awesome, and reminds me to thank my heavenly father for everything

The people are amazing, gracious, generous and ultra polite. Initially the butler bit felt awkward, I'm not used to being waited on (you may be surprised to hear!!!) but whilst I'm not taking it for granted, I am feeling cherished.

I am of course missing the kids, and I know that Sarah is struggling a bit, but I'm impressed with how she is coping, and grateful to all my friends who are there for her. I know that PJ and Hannah are also having a different week, as its their last week together for a while. I also know there's stuff with my dad. But I know that God is holding it all, and has given us this time of refreshment, so I'll make the most of it and will be back to reality all too soon :D

Kal x

It even rains in paradise............

Well we woke up to a shower! But its still hot and its meant to pass over very soon and it is winter here :) Actually its nice to have a quiet day - we were booked to go on a catamaran trip today but they've postponed it until tomorrow as its raining on the other side of the island (where the cruise goes) even more. So I'll just have to have a pedicure instead!!!!
I cant believe we're almost halfway already, we knew it'd fly by, but tomorrow is half way.......I know feel so chilled and relaxed its lovely.
More later :)
Kal