11/02/2009 by sue.

 I can hardly believe it is a whole year since I drove from the Ennerdale Hotel at Cleator to Barrow Hospital to see Gran. Bryan and I had been at his Great Niece’s christening the day before and I had prayed for Gran to be kept safe until I was able to visit her on Monday on our way home for just one last visit and hug.

Imagine how devastated I felt when my phone rang just as we arrived in the Hospital car park to hear mum telling me that Gran had died in the early hours of that morning. Dad had just phoned to tell her. As you may or may not know mum is not an early bird (unless she has to be up to catch an early bus to go off on her travels abroad) so it was almost lunchtime.

I still had a desperate need to see Gran to tell her how much she was loved so we went to the ward and arranged to see Gran in the chapel of rest at half past one. We sat outside  in the Hospital grounds in the sunshine whilst I called Amanda who had flown out to Toronto with Andy and friends for a few days break. All we really wanted was to be together and give each other a hug. Mum was in Bridlington keeping an eye on Bekki and Anthony. I spoke to them too and Bekki was caring for mum in the traditional Tally way-making cups of tea and giving hugs. 

When I saw Gran I felt so bereft, and cheated out of my last chat and smile from my wonderful Gran. She was peaceful but so still. I kept expecting her to open her eyes and smile at us but that was not to be.The hugs and kisses were easy even though they were one sided. I was able to tell Gran all the things I had to say, passed on love hugs and kisses from all of us -mum, Paul, Mark, John, Amanda, our spouses and children. It took me a good hour to feel ready to leave her and begin our journey home. I wanted to bring her away with me, keep her with me. forever.  We called in to see Auntie Clarice and shared stories and real warm hugs  in the cottage with Gran’s baby sister, not forgetting the cups of tea.

Today whilst at work I have had flashbacks to that day. I relived my time saying goodbye to Gran and recognised that whilst we are still alive Gran is too. She has left us with so many happy memories and the greatest gift to be able to love others, to share hugs and smiles and enjoy life whilst we can to the full. We all carry a little piece of her inside us and always will because she was with us for such a lovely long time.  Thankyou for reading my personal memories of the day Gran died.

Love you Gran.

Please keep the blog going. It started to keep us all in touch with how Gran was but should continue to keep the family continuity going. Those of us who do not post regularly still love to keep updated with the goings on in the family, no matter how far spread we are. We do have busy lives but we also have quieter times when it is so nice to reminice and reading some of the stories on the blog is good for that.

Don’t forget, I am still working on the Cuban photos so you need to keep checking to see if I ever manage to do it.

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11/02/2009 by Richard.

“Death is not extinguishing the light, it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come.” 

You are forever in our thoughts, especially today 

Love you always.

Linda Richard and family.

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