Only a memory away.

Today my immediate family and I will travel down to Manchester to go to my Nana Ivy's funeral. I'm am saying something at the church and the process of writing and remembering the huge impact she had on my childhood has been really humbling. I hope that I can be strong while I read it and that it will be a small comfort to my Dad to see how loved she was by us. In a way it feels like a focus, it will be sad to say goodbye but the kindness and selflessness my Nana demonstrated will live on in our hearts.

Last night I went for a beautiful meal cooked by my sisters fair hands. My Mum and Bernard picked me up from town and it was good to have a really chilled night. My Mum had bought Joseph and Izzy new scooters and their faces light up all happy when they saw me. I was having a good chat to my Mum and we both got fully embraced by my sister. It was a lovely connected moment.

Had a lovely chat to my dear friend El. We have a deep understanding and total mutual acceptance and respect for how each other feels and lives and I never fail to feel totally uplifted when we speak to each other.

The rest of this week, back to work tomorrow, hopefully allotment Thursday. Then I am home in Hexham again Friday to have a catch up with Jenny and get ready for a big family do. My Nana and Grandad's 60th Diamond wedding anniversary party. So big contrasts. Always great to see all my cousins though and the new generation which is emerging...