Thanksgiving 2010

For thanksgiving this year we were thankful just to be able to be together! There were 2 things conspiring against us. Firstly the big snow hit a day or 2 before the 25th making any travelling either impossible or very slow and dangerous. Secondly I was a ticking time bomb having been checked by the midwife earlier in the week and told that I was already 3-4 cms dilated and contracting on and off the whole week.

Despite all these things we headed off on Thursday to Aberdeen to gather at Russell, Rachael, Lewis and Libby house. John A, Kristen, Brennan, Jonty and mum were invited also. We all contributed to the meal which was magnificent but in my pregnant state I was not able to eat as much as I wanted to! The kids had fun playing together but, as is always the case, they were tired out. I had some strong contractions and we almost thought the evening would end with a trip to the hospital, but everything settled and we decided it was safe to travel home. We didn't get to stay as long as we wanted, the time past so quickly and the weather was against us so we headed for home. It was a slow journey home and we put the kids straight into their PJ's and into bed when we got home.

I am sorry to say that we did not take any pictures of our night. I don't remember if we forgot the camera or were just to lazy to get it out but this will have to be a picture less post.

Tribute

As most of you know my dad died on October 6th. He had been living with cancer for about 4 years and had done extremely well during most of that time. In the early part of this year he began to suffer from lymphodema in one of his legs and by the end of the spring it had begun to affect his other leg. It got to the point that the entire lower half of this body was swollen. This caused him considerable discomfort and greatly reduced his mobility which in turn led to muscle wastage. There was nothing that could be done medically to alleviate the problem. Though the weakening of his body seemed a slow process the end of his life on earth came quickly. He was bedridden on the Tuesday (5th) and died on the Wednesday. This occurred in the final week before David was due his 2 week October break which meant that when we arrived in Stirling on that Wednesday we were able to stay for almost 3 weeks. My brother and his family were also able to be with us for about the same time. The funeral took place on the Saturday (9th) and it was beautiful, a real celebration of his life and the victory he gained in going to be with the Lord. We were amazed at the number of people that attended the funeral and reception and we were so thankful for their support. The congregation at Stirling held a service/tribute to my Dad on the Sunday, which was again very thoughtful and appreciated. We would also like to mention and thank Mitch, Isobel, Dick and Anne. Their help and friendship made this difficult time more bearable.

We also celebrated my Mum's birthday on the Sunday (10th); we had a meal together at a restaurant and later the kids helped to decorate a birthday cake for her.

After things had calmed down we decided we all needed a fun, family distraction and so planned a day out to the Sea Life aquarium at Loch Lomond. We ALL went - Grandad, Mum, JA, Kristen, Brennan, Jonty, David, Me, Abby and AJ. It was a great outing and though the kids were exhausted we made lots of fun memories and had some retail therapy in the gift shop.

Mum's birthday






Our family outing













All the family are doing reasonably well despite it being an obviously difficult time. We are happy for my Dad knowing he had made it home and claimed his reward but we also feel the loss of a great Christian gentleman, husband, father and grandfather. There are times when it still doesn't seem real and I wonder where he is or when he will walk through the door. So many times I think I will just call him and seek some wisdom on a task or problem, only to remember that fountain of knowledge is no longer there. Dad I love you and know I will see you again someday.