Life goes on... gently

Hey everyone, and apologies for the short absence. This is my first entry since my mum passed away a month ago and it feels like a lot longer. Most of you already know about it, and I want to thank you all for your support and kind thoughts, and the cards, messages, gifts, phone calls etc that I have received. I'm sorry I haven't been able to talk to everyone individually as of yet but I am back in circulation now and hope to do so soon.

As you can imagine it has been quite a month. I took 2 weeks off work and am thankful that I have an understanding boss and wonderful colleagues who have been nothing but kind. I was ready to go back though, I needed to settle back into routine and keep busy. I spent the first week off arranging the funeral and all the other paperwork that nobody ever talks about. It's been an education. The funeral process, I'm glad to say, went very smoothly, which helped. We found a nice cemetery and had a very nice ceremony a week later. There was a good attendance, the chapel was full. Unfortunately, most of Mum's family couldn't make it as nobody could fly in at short notice, but my cousin May and Mum's God-daughter were there and the chapel was full of her friends. I have had so many lovely messages from people far and wide who have known her over the years and it is amazing to know how loved she was and how many people she touched throughout her life. I know she will be so greatly missed.

It's been something of a rollercoaster and I know it will be this way for a while. It's hardest on my dad, but he doesn't talk about it much so there is little I can do except be there for him. The grief comes and goes in waves and most of the time it is extremely sudden and triggered by the most unexpected things. Half the time it doesn't even seem real and I forget that it's even happened. The support of friends is definitely the best medicine. I am so grateful to have Jon too, he has really come through for me during this tough time. He was there at my side all the days my mum was in the hospital offering comfort to me and my dad, he was there with us when she passed away, and held my hand throughout the funeral. And since then he seems to have just learned to accept that there will be the occasional random fit of tears and irrational behaviour from time to time! He also seems to have perfected a technique of distracting me to take my mind off things if I get sad, it's quite a gift. I suspect he does it in other situations too though, if I bore him talking too much! I'm trying to spare him somewhat though, as I don't want to burden him too much with it. I'm just glad he's here.

So things are going back to somewhat-normal now. I am busy at work, which is a good thing right now. I've also been quite busy outside of work, including a few trips and events to look forward to. It's Jon's birthday next week so we're off to Portmeirion (in north Wales) this weekend. I'll be back here soon with the usual ramblings! Speak to you all soon!