Category Archives: Brother

Dec31

New Year’s Eve

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Saturday 31st December
  

At midday we began our drive to Key West to see the New Year celebrations. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we knew we wanted to see the sunset, and were hoping for a good display ~ the colours didn’t disappoint as we sat sipping cocktails on the aptly named Sunset Pier. 

As evening fell the crowds began parading up and down Duval Street; everyone in such a happy, party mood. We went into Sloppy Joe’s for a beer and listened to an excellent band, followed later with nachos in the Gas Monkey, whilst listening to some excellent, very loud, rock music. 

As midnight approached we made our way back to Sloppy Joe’s where the giant conch would begin it’s descent at 11:59pm. As thousands gathered, pop music blared out, mardi gras necklaces were thrown from rooftops and people waited expectantly. As the countdown began, the conch was slowly lowered and the crowd roared their appreciation as streamers flew through the air, and fireworks exploded in the night sky.

Wish you could be with us as we begin another year. 

Remembering you with so much love.

My dearest, darling Angel.

xxxxxx

Trying on party hats

Your Grinch came along too, so you were there with us

Lunchtime at Sunset Pier

A most delicious Pusser’s Painkiller

The sun beginning to go down

Dad and I enjoying the last few rays of sunshine

The sun is almost gone

The last few rays

Many sunset cruises returning to dry land

Ahhhhhh……..your brother and his girlfriend

Festive trees

Change of clothes, ready for the evening

Silly billies

352 minutes to go……

We managed to catch some necklaces

Your brother bought me a New Year’s crown

The gathering crowds

Dec30

Travelling

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Friday 30th December
  

Travelling around

To places we know

Thinking of you

How we love you so

  

Travelling around

To places all new

In spirit you’re with us

Taking in the view 

  

Travelling around

Safe in my heart

We’ll travel forever

So we’re never apart.

  

Sweetheart Angel son

xxxxxx

Beautiful sunset at the Lorelei Cabana

A sunset of many golden hues

Your brother and his girlfriend

Dad and I

Beneath a fiery sky

Dec29

Friends

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Thursday 29th December
  

This afternoon we met up with a great group of friends whom we haven’t seen for two and a half years. Such wonderful, charming hosts who always look after us and welcome us into their home.

Upon arrival we all scrambled onto the dock to see a slow moving manatee swim sedately by. A wonderfully docile creature, blowing bubbles as it checked us out, enjoying some shade beneath the boards of the dock.

Some time later an unidentified species of shark snaked its way along in front of everyone. Jaws it wasn’t, but rather intimidating nonetheless.

As the sun went down the sky and water basked in a warm, golden glow, with reflections rippling across the glassy liquid.

Our friends really liked you and spoke of you most fondly, recalling past vacations, outings and meals with them. You would have enjoyed being there this afternoon, seeing the sea life, probably swinging on the hammock or splashing in the hot tub.

But you weren’t with us this afternoon: however, you were there, in spirit. You should have been there. I want you to be with us. It’s so strange without you. But so many people have so many wonderful memories of you, and we will continue to share these memories for as long as we can.

Missing you my darling.

Love you forever

Moon and back

xxxxxx

Dec28

Sombrero Beach again

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Wednesday 28th December
  

We started the day with another of your favourites ~ a trip to IHOP ~ you loved their pancakes, especially the apple, cinnamon, raisin and ice cream ones, liberally doused with lashings of maple syrup.

Following breakfast, your brother bought a fishing rod and we went to Sombrero Beach to test it out ~ unfortunately no fish were caught. However it was a lovely place to spend the afternoon, paddling, watching the boats and pelicans, and relaxing.

A large iguana met us as we were returning to the car, with a scaly back and large feet/claws, it certainly fascinated your brother and his girlfriend. 

Thinking of you

Missing you so much

Blowing kisses to heaven

Loving you forever

Darling Angel son.

xxxxxx

Dec26

Boxing Day

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Monday 26th December
  

Yesterday, Christmas Day, we drove to Miami to collect your brother and his girlfriend ~ they had flown over from Lisbon, and will be spending the next couple of weeks with us.

It was so good to see them both.

Your brother has not been in America, with us on holiday, for twelve years.

Boxing Day today, and we went to Bahia Honda beach where your brother and his girlfriend swam, played bat and ball, relaxed, laughed and had fun.

You were with us in spirit, as you always are my dearest, darling Angel.

Missing you so very much, as I always will, my dearest, darling Angel.

Love you forever, always have, always will, my dearest, darling Angel.

xxxxxx

Aug22

Windy City

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Monday 22nd August

   
In 2004 we made a detour from our usual holiday on the east coast of America. My brother and his wife had a fabulous apartment on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, and we decided to spend a week in the windy city exploring a very different holiday destination.

Shopping, eating, drinking, museums, the L, parks, beaches, bridges, air shows: Chicago was amazing, and we had a busy, fun-filled week.

You on my brother’s yacht during the Air and Water Show

22.8.2004 Sliding along like a seal (with brown arms and a white body)

I remember  we drove up to Gurnee, and spent the day at Six Flags Great America; you both enjoyed the large wooden rollercoaster called American Eagle, and the insanely twisting Vertical Velocity.

You and your brother exiting yet another thrilling rollercoaster ride

We also spent time at Oak Street Beach, people watching and relaxing, having a snack and a welcome cold drink.

You and I, having a cold drink at a beach café

We did have fun, didn’t we? Experiencing so many different excursions and adventures. You were both so lucky, and we were lucky enough too, to be able to share good times with you.

We tried hard to show you the world, meet new people, eat different foods, look at modern architecture, observe unfamiliar scenery, to place you amongst a different culture: all to expand your education and knowledge. And to have fun all the while.

And we did have fun, didn’t we?

And now, so, so many wonderful memories to look back upon. How I wish it were not so, that you were still here, able to keep on holidaying with us.

We miss you so much my darling.

Love you forever my precious Angel son.

xxxxxx

Low tide at the beach this afternoon

Aug19

I love you both

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Friday 19th August

    

One in heaven

One on earth

My two sons.

  

One is there

One is here

My two boys.

  

One an Angel

One alive

My children.

  

One with wings

One still breathing

My two lads.

  

One a memory

One still making memories

My young men. 

  

I love you both

Always have

Always will.

  

xxxxxx

Lamorna; Spring 1990; your brother, me and you

Spring 1990; Newquay Zoo; you, me and your brother

Jul31

Both

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Sunday 31st July
    

I think of my boys

Night and day.

One is with me

One is in heaven.

So, I live in two places

Here, and where you are.

I love you both

With all my heart.

Moon and back

And all the world.

xxxxxx

July 1990 (twenty six years ago). Waiting outside Jumbo floating restaurant, Hong Kong, (you, me and your brother)

The harbour this afternoon

Sammy seal

Looking for fish in the harbour

Jul16

To make you smile someday

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Saturday 16th July
   

“There used to be so many

Of my fingerprints to see

On furniture and walls and things

From sticky grubby me

But if you stop and think awhile

You’ll see I’m growing fast

Those little handprints disappear

You can’t bring back what’s passed.

So here’s a small reminder

To keep not wipe away

Of tiny hands and how they looked

To make you smile someday.”

  

We came across this framed collage of you and your brothers’ handprints today, along with your photographs.

It did make me smile, wistfully, as I remembered the pair of you, when you were small. You were nearly three years old, and your brother almost one. 

Your hands were quite slender, but your brother’s handprint was quite chubby.

You and your brother, and handprints

So long ago, such innocent times, with many memories still to make.

Love you to the moon and back.

Dearest Angel son

xxxxxx

A panoramic view of the harbour this afternoon

Jul14

Nan update

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Thursday 14th July
Well, that was a scary few days. My mum was taken into hospital last Friday evening, and after a number of tests, it emerged that she had an “acute kidney injury”, brought about by severe dehydration. She was also beginning to suffer delirium, confusion and disorientation. Quite a dangerous situation by all accounts.

Refusing, or not bothering to eat and drink, had led to this pitiful situation. The kidneys ended up extremely dry.

Following intravenous saline and antibiotics, rest and much care, Nan’s kidneys are almost back to 100% normal functioning. Thank goodness.

When we arrived in the hospital yesterday afternoon for a visit, we were surprised to see her sitting in a chair, looking out of the window. Such a huge difference in her appearance and demeanour ~ the first time she had been out of bed since a week last Tuesday. She had managed a little lunch, and was sipping some chilled lemonade through a straw.

Last night Nan was discharged from the hospital, back to her care home. No more noise, bright strip lights, uncomfortable bed, woken up at all hours for obs.

Today, we arrived late morning to find Nan sitting outside in the sunshine, albeit in a wheelchair, wearing her own clothes, (much better than a hospital gown), having her nails painted. A great transformation. She is still very weak, and must be closely monitored for the next three months, with regular blood tests. And she has to make more of an effort to eat and drink fluids ~ or I will keep on incessantly nagging, and she hates that.

Thinking of you my darling, who needed no encouragement to eat your food, and drink water, tea, lemonade or juice. You had a great appetite.

Seventy weeks today, you fell asleep.

Love you to the moon and back.

Precious Angel son.

xxxxxx

You, Nan and your brother. February 2014

The harbour this afternoon