Year end

New Years Eve was spent with the Gatehouses for an evening of games. The end of a very painful and bitter year - where do I go from here?

Christmas with families.

Facing my first Christmas without Christine left me with dread and I wasn't sure what to do or expect.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Anita, John, Toby and Sophie.  We spent Boxing Day at Jane's with the Turton's. We spent a lovely day with Henry's family who welcomed us into their beautiful home and took us out to clay pidgeon shoot in a howling gale - great fun.

We spent Christmas in the warm heart of the Gatehouse's and were able to see the Turton's - two families that are most precious to me and were to Christine. They loved and looked after Christine's 'boys'. We played games, talked a lot and shed tears.

Thank you Anita and John and Jane for making Christmas special - Chris wasn't forgotten and she was with us all.

Hayley's mum and dads

Today we spent the afternoon at Hayley's for Sunday lunch - very peaceful and very kind.

Cleeve Common walk

William and myself took a gentle stroll over Cleeve Common on a bright winters day.  Low cloud hung over the top of Leckhampton Hill in the distance.

Farewell my beautiful Christine

Yesterday the 19th December 2013 was the family farewell to our beautiful Christine.  In the morning myself, William, Anita and John dressed Christine's wicker coffin in garlands of ivy and small pale pink bouquets - a time to reflect and commune with Christine.  At the Crematorium the coffin with all the family flowers around it looked lovely - reminding us of a Pre Raphaelite painting, which Christine would have loved.

The Thanksgiving at St Paul's Church Shurdington was full with friends, family, work colleagues and neighbours. The service was really beautiful and touched everybody's heart reflecting perfectly Christine's loving, caring personality.  Thank you to Neil for pulling it together.

The tears of sadness I shed for Christine flowed and mingled with those of everyone around me as we all expressed our love for Christine. William by my side holding hands.  As Bron described it 'there was so much love abounding you could touch it'

The small get together at Shurdington Church Hall afterwards was attended by (I think as unfortunately no names were taken):

Hayley and her mum.  Anita, John, Toby and Sophie. Gill and Iain. Alan and Suzanne, Mum, Jane, Richard, Jess and Tim.  Jonathan, Melissa, Victoria and Jasmine.  Jill and Jane Gatehouse. Elaine and Jenny. Rev Nick Berry. Jenny Breese and Elaine Hodgin. Loz, Bron, Julia and Ade. Tom and Grandad. Luke, Hannah and Ed. Nick and Jane. Dale. Don and Laura. Kate and Mike.  Anne and Glynne.  Roy and Sandra.  John Hurl, Anil Gandhi, Jane Edgeworth Lane and Gareth Blackett.
Phil Lane, Celia, Fi, Sandie, Glo, Mags? Claire and Caroline (Cathedral colleagues)  Neil and Dr ? from Ashleworth.   Hilary, Colleen, Mary and Sue (ex work colleagues).

Words can't describe how much I will miss my beloved Christine but a new life begins with Christine in my heart and by my side.  Love always Tim

Sing For Sue

Last night John, Anita, Sophie and Loz joined William and myself at Trinity Church for an evening of singing and Christmas Carols to raise money for Sue Ryder in Cheltenham. Emotional at times as one of the choirs was made up of staff from Sue Ryder including nurses who cared for Chris.  We all missed Chris as she really should have been there with us - but she was in our hearts and we felt near her.

FOD cycle

Today Luke joined William and myself for cycle around the FOD trails. Luke's first time at the FOD. A pleasant afternoon where we remembered Chris on the journey.